02 Moduls - OSTIV

Fly-by-wire

Definiton of a Sailplane - Assessment of Advanced Technologies

The recent World Gliding Championships 2024 in Uvalde saw the Nixus sailplane used by one competitor in the Open Class. The Nixus employs fly-by-wire that uses stored energy from batteries in order to influence the flow of air around the wing by automatically moving the flaps. This has raised questions

whether Nixus is a glider according to the rules of FAI,
whether the FAI Sporting Code in its general or section-wise rules needs to be adapted in order to allow for fair gliding competitions, taking into account recently developed technologies and developments that are conceivable in the future.

The present document aims at providing technically sound answers to the different dimensions of the raised questions.

to improve the passive safety for sailplane occupants

OSTIV Passive Safety Standard (OPSS)

This OSTIV Passive Safety Standard (OPSS) has been developed within the Sailplane Development Panel (SDP), which is part of the International Scientific and Technical Soaring Organisation (Organisation Scientifique et Technique Internationale du Vol a Voile, in short OSTIV).
The OPSS is not a mandatory airworthiness requirement for sailplanes. Its purpose is to serve as a guideline for improving the safety of the sailplane occupants for organisations and persons who develop sailplanes.
Therefore, the OPSS is published so that everyone can use the information and proposed minimum standards for improved occupant safety against the level of safety as defined in current airworthiness requirement for sailplanes, e.g. CS-22.

Awards

OSTIV Plaque with Klemperer Award to Gerhard Waibel

for his lifetime achievements in sailplane design.

Awards

OSTIV Prize awarded to Patrick L. McLaughlin

for his contribution to the safety of gliding by creating the Mountain High Equipment EDS pulse-demand oxygen system.

OSTIV Prize awarded to Sakari Havbrandt and Henrik Svensson

for their contribution to the safety of gliding by creating the safety programs “Stop Crashing” and “Fly Safe”