OLC - The Gliding / Paragliding / Hanggliding Contest

FAQ: Questions and Solutions (help to help yourself) covers OLC’s entire service area.
If you look for your specific question you will find the solution to your problem behind it (the full answer pops up when you click on the question.)
Following the ‘do it yourself‘ principle you will then be able to solve the problem on your own.
If you have any further questions, please send an email to the OLC by clicking on the HELP button (top right next to the country flag).
We will answer you immediately.
OLC whishes you always great fligths.

1. Questions flight section

1.1 In the scores my flight is displayed in grey. It did not score any points or is not ranked at all.

5 different reasons are possible:

The flight was executed with a powered sailplane, but your logger file does not include ENL recording.
The logger file is invalid.
The flight scored less than 50 points (please have a look at OLC-Plus 4.4 rules).
The flight is still in the evaluation (with yellow/blue S in the flight info) Please be patient.
The flight was reported too late (please have a look at the OLC-Plus rules 3.2).

1.2 My flight did not score because of a red S, what can I do about that?

Please check the OLC comment in your flight information, you may find a hint here.

It is possible that the flight was performed with a motorized glider, but the flight file does not contain an ENL (Engine Noise Level) record.
Either a non IGC approved logger was used or the ENL recording was disabled. In this case you will get the OLC comment "Autocomment: Used Aircraft has engine, but ENL logging deactivated" in the flight message.

Remedy: Please click „edit flight“ in the flight information window, put a checkmark at „cancel flight“ and hit „save“.
Then claim your flight again using the appropriate file.
Changes can only be executed during a 48 hour time window after landing, respectively prior to the registration deadline for league scoring, which is the next day at 08:00 am UTC.

1.3 My flight did not score because of a red V, what can I do?

OLC’s server checks the validity of IGC files using an audit file (DLL) provided by the logger’s manufacturer. The content of your file is verified by a check sum at the end of it.

Reasons for invalidness:
a) The check sum is missing.
b) The content was altered manually.
c) A failure happened during the logger readout.
d) No reason detectable; the validation program does only submit a result to OLC, not a reason why a flight is valid or not. Please ask the logger manufacturer for help.

1.4 My flight does not score for the League.

This can have this reason:

A flight declaration executed with a file from a non IGC approved logger (green V necessary) does not generate a league score.

Remedy for a blue V: Please click „edit flight“ in the flight information window, put a checkmark at „cancel flight“ and hit „save“.
Then claim the flight again with a file from a second IGC approved flight logger.
Changes can only be executed during OLC’s time window (48 hours after landing). For league flights the registration window closes at 08:00 am UTC, the next day. If you change your flight after that it will no longer score for the league!

1.5 My flight declaration was accepted, but the flight is not part of the scores.

This may happen with a logger that has not been activated for a while and therefore does not provide the correct date in its IGC file.

The IGC file’s second line will for example show 020993. If you upload the flight without altering its content you will of course not be able to locate it in the scores, because in 1993 OLC was not yet invented. The flight will however be in our data base, and once you retry uploading you will see a message, that it has already been registered.

Remedy: None, only the manufacturer can update your logger.

1.6 The scores show only a very small or no FAI- triangle at all?

OLC-Plus may only locate and evaluate an FAI-triangle after a flight is closed.

This means: Start and finish point of the unpowered flight may not be more than 1,000 m apart, horizontally as well as vertically. The program searches for an FAI-triangle only between these two points.
Often a triangle is not shown because OLC’s program could not automatically locate the correct beginning of your engineless flight

Remedy: Click “edit flight“ in the flight information window to manually correct the beginning of your engineless journey and hit "save".
Please note: The instants of time determined by OLC’s server are just suggestions which have to be double checked by the participant.
Only during the registration window of 48 hours after landing it is possible to modify points in time.

1.7 After a logger failure the device has logged more than one file (IGC-files)

An assemblage of several different logger files of one flight is only possible as long as they have all been logged with the same device and each of them is valid on its own.

Remedy: The easiest way is to use a file from a second logger (see 1.8).

There are different possibilities to merging files.

a) All files are opened with an editor and put together via copy and paste.
b) Using Windows the command window will work as follows:
copy file1.igc + file2.igc destination file.igc (or additional files if necessary).
c) With Linux and Mac it will work equally:
cat file1.igc file2.igc > destination file.igc (or additional files if necessary).
Each file to be merged must be complete and valid (G record).
The files have to be joined together without gaps, the time difference (B record) from file to file shall not exceed 120 seconds in each case.
Changes can only be executed during the time window of 48 hours after landing, respectively before the registration deadline for league flights, which ends at 08:00 am UTC the next day.

1.8 Exchanging of logger files (IGC-files)

Remedy: Flights may be exchanged as follows:

Please click „edit flight“ in the flight information window, put a checkmark at „cancel flight“ and hit „save“.
Then claim the flight again with a different file.
Changes can only be executed during a time window of 48 hours after landing, respectively before the registration deadline for league flights, which ends at 08:00 am UTC the next day.

1.9 Cancelling of flights

You may only cancel a flight during the registration window (48 hours after landing).

Please click „edit flight“ in the flight information window, put a checkmark at "cancel flight" and hit "save".
For deleting participant data and/or flights please read FAQ 3.1.

1.10 OLC’s server did not accurately identify the correct beginning and/or end of the unpowered flight, what can I do about that?

Please click “edit flight“ in the flight information window, correct beginning and/or end of the unpowered flight manually, click “reload“ next to the barogram and finally hit „save“.

Changes can only be executed during a time window of 48 hours after landing, respectively before the registration deadline for league flights, which ends at 08:00 am UTC the next day.

1.11 Why does the pilot have to check in the flight claim the times for the begin and the end of the flight without propulsion?

The OLC server may occasionally not correctly determine the begin and the end ofthe flight without propulsion.
Possible reasons for a wrong interpretation of the olc server for the begin of the flight without propulsion are:
- descent while under power
- erroneous ENL signal
- no significant descent after the powered flight, as the air-tow / self-launch transitioned directly into a strong, unpowered climb
Possible reasons for wrong interpretation of the OLC server for the end of the flight without propulsion:
- erroneous ENL signal

1.12 The evaluation of the flight was aborted with the message that a non-compliant logger interval / gap in the recording (recording gap or missing gps signal) was found.

The OLC server interrupts the valuation of the flight file. In the OLC barogram only that part of the flight is visible which has been evaluated.
Possible reason A: There is a logger interval / recording gap (recording gap) of more than 300 seconds for gliders and motorized gliders or 20 seconds for FES gliders. If these values are exceeded, the evaluation is aborted at this point.
Possible reason B: There is a faulty GPS signal (missing gps signal) of more than 300 seconds. If this value is exceeded, the evaluation is aborted at this point.

Flights with recording gaps of 60 to 300 seconds are permitted if fraud can be ruled out beyond any doubt.

All these errors cannot be corrected with a manual correction of the beginning and/or end of the powerless flight.

Remedy: Click “edit flight“ in the flight information window, cancel your flight and declare a new one, using a file from a second logger.
Changes can only be executed during OLC’s time window (48 hours after landing).
For league flights the registration deadline is at 08:00 am UTC, the next day. If you change anything after that your flight will no longer score for the league.
Against faulty GPS signals it often helps to position the logger at a more suitable place.

1.13 My takeoff location has not been recognized

Remedy: Please click “edit flight“ in the flight information window, chose the start point and hit "save".

Changes can only be executed during a time window of 48 hours after landing, respectively before the registration deadline for league flights, which ends at 08:00 am UTC the next day.

1.14 Change type of aircraft in flight declaration

Remedy: Please click “edit flight“ in the flight information window, change type of aircraft and then hit “save“.

You may also change your callsign and contest number in the same way.
Changes can only be executed during OLC’s time window (48 hours after landing).
For league flights the registration deadline is at 08:00 am UTC, the next day. If you change anything after that your flight will no longer score for the league.

1.15 Add a copilot in flight declaration

Remedy: Please click “edit flight“ in the flight information window, chose your copilot and hit "save".

Changes can only be executed during a time window of 48 hours after landing, respectively before the registration deadline for league flights, which is the next day at 08:00 am UTC.

1.16 FES aircraft with invalid logger recording, what can I do?

For aircraft with a front electric sustainer (FES), the electrical current flow to the engine must also be recorded with an IGC approved sensor.
Currently (October 2023) the OLC only knows the MOP2 sensor from LXNAV and the Oudie N IGC.

1.17 I can't get along with the flight notification and I can't find anything about my problem in the FAQ.

Unfortunately there is no support from the OLC.

Remedy: Please ask friends in your area who know about the problem. Nearly every experienced OLC participant can help you.
See also the introductory text at the top of this page.

1.18 I have changed my club, but the OLC still uses the old one.

You can define your club in the registration (settings). Please note that you can only change your scoring club once during the OLC season. A further change of club will only take effect in the next OLC season.
If you are still within the 48h window for claiming a flight, then you can still change your club: First adjust the club in your settings and then cancel your flight and claim it newly.

1.19 I want to report my flight and I can't find my aircraft in the selection list.

Please check in the list if you have looked for the correct aircraft name. Sometimes the type is preceded by the manufacturer's designation or the manufacturer name itself.
If your aircraft is really not in the list, please go to FAQ item 3.10 and fill in the form for creating a new aircraft. Then the aircraft will be created by the OLC.

1.20 How is the scoring period defined in the OLC?

Rule OLC-Plus 1.3.2 Scoring period: The scoring period of the current OLC year ends 12 days before the first Saturday in October. The scoring period of the following OLC year starts at the next day.

The first Saturday in October 2023: October 7th, 2023
The last scoring day in the OLC year 2023: September 25th, 2023
The first scoring day in the OLC year 2024: September 26th, 2023

Please note that you can only change the scoring club once during the current OLC year.

1.21 How do I get OLC and/or IGC approval of a new flight data recorder?

To approve a new logger in the OLC, please contact the manufacturer of the logger. The manufacturer must then apply to the OLC for approval.

1.22 Is my logger approved in the OLC?

Here you can find the OLC-logger list

The documentation is exclusively by means of GPS-based flight recordings (IGC files). There are two levels of validation:
• With IGC approved flight recorders (green V-point in the flight info).
The flight data (files) must be generated by an IGC-approved flight recorder.
• OLC approved flight recorders (blue V-point in the flight info) have to fulfil all requirements set by FAI - IGC, except for recoding of means of propulsion and barometric pressure.
To that purpose, they need to pass a verification test by OLC.
These are all other flight recorders which are retrieved with software approved by the OLC.

1.23 Where can I find the OLC-handicap list?

Here you can find the OLC-handicap list

1.24 The handicap of my aircraft is not correct in the flight declaration.

Please send an email to help@onlinecontest.org
and list the aircraft type, the current handicap and the corrected handicap.
Please note that the OLC has its own handicap list and is not based on other competitions.

1.25 The airfield location is incorrectly marked on the map.

Please send an email to help@onlinecontest.org
with the correct coordinates in the format degrees, minutes, seconds, for example N49° 30’ 27” E011° 26’ 51”.
See here for an example of an incorrect airfield location.

1.26 How do I read the statistics in the flight message?

All columns in the tables are actually self-explanatory because the units are given. Only the "E" is without a unit.
"E" shows the average achieved glide ratio between two turning points in straight flight.
The total line shows the average achieved glide ratio from the beginning of the first leg to the end of the sixth leg.
In wave flying, ridge riding, or cloud roads, the "E" may be negative, indicating that the pilot has actually gained altitude in straight flight.
You can use this as an indicator of your aircraft's performance compared to other owners of the same type of aircraft, and of your own ability to follow energy lines in straight flight.
In FAI statistics, the same principle applies. Since only four legs/three turnpoints are calculated, the "E" must be different from the six legs/five turnpoints of the OLC Classic calculation.

2. Questions system section

2.1 Deleting accounts and/or flights

Unfortunately the deletion of accounts and/or flights by the paticipant is not possible.
The participant can only cancel his flights within 48 hours.

This is explained in the current privacy policy published on the OLC website.

If you wish to delete your account, please send an email to help@onlinecontest.org with the subject: "Delete account".
Any existing direct debit mandate and bank details will also be removed.
A deactivation of an account will not alter flights which have already been registered for scoring, and all published flights, including names and clubs, will be conserved - after all, a permanent publication of flights is the purpose of any declaration. That is why pilots are using OLC’s competition.
There will be no confirmation. Please check yourself if you are still listed as a participant or if you can still log in.

2.2 Smiley is not displayed

The smiley is only displayed after the next flight following the purchase.

2.3 Trusted competitor - responsibilities and advantages

A trusted competitor is an OLC contestant who may declare, edit or cancel other competitors’ flights.
To add a trusted competitor please click “my settings“ in the menu below your user name, write your buddies name into your participant registration form (see "trusted competitors"), click "add" and finally hit the "save" button.
You may also become a trusted competitor for another OLC-pilot yourself.

2.4 How can I change the scoring club?

The scoring club is entered in your participant data.

To change it, click on "my settings" in the menu below your user name, select the scoring club from the list in the "OLC settings" section of your participant registration and then click on the "save" button.
From the next flight on your flights will be scored for the new club.
Please note that you can only change your scoring club once during the current OLC season. A further change of club will only take effect in the next OLC season.

2.5 I would like to support the OLC with a small donation (smiley).

We are glad that you want to support the OLC.

The easiest way to do this is if you are a bank account holder in the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA).
Please log in, go to "My settings" and enter the bank details and tick the box in front of the text "I authorise Segelflugszene e.V. to collect payments from my account by recurring direct debit".
Then click on the button "Save data" at the bottom of the page.

Attention: Please make sure that all mandatory fields marked with an asterisk are filled in. This also applies to the security question and the answer to it.
In the case of older accounts, it is possible that these fields are not or not completely filled in.
Without completely filled in mandatory fields, the form cannot be saved, does not close and the removal of the bank details does not become active.
Then open your settings again and check whether the bank details have really been entered.

Further payment options with credit card and PayPal are described here.

If you have any problems with this, please send an e-mail with your request to help@onlinecontest.org, stating your name, first name and date of birth.

2.6 I would like to end my support of the OLC and delete my bank details.

To do so, go to "My settings" and remove the bank details and untick the box in front of the text "I authorise Segelflugszene e.V. to collect payments from my account by recurring direct debit".
Then click on the button "Save data" at the bottom of the page.
Attention: Please make sure that all mandatory fields marked with an asterisk are filled in. This also applies to the security question and the answer to it.
In the case of older accounts, it is possible that these fields are not or not completely filled in.
Without completely filled in mandatory fields, the form cannot be saved, does not close and the removal of the bank details does not become active.

Then open your settings again and check whether the bank details have really been removed.

If you have any problems with this, please send an e-mail with your request to help@onlinecontest.org, stating your name, first name and date of birth.

2.7. Excessive Use of the Services

The User shall be regularly permitted to retrieve up to ten analysis files per calendar day (such amount hereinafter referred to as "Reasonable Use"). Upon exceeding this limit, any further retrieval of analysis files will be prevented for the remainder of the calendar day.
Further restrictions may be imposed if the stipulated limit is repeatedly exceeded. The User shall not circumvent, nor attempt to circumvent, the limitation relating to Reasonable Use through technical means or otherwise.

3. Service Area

3.1 Correction of destination coefficient

Destination scoring has been discontinued as of the 2024 OLC season.

3.2 When logging in, the following message appears: "Your account has not yet been activated. Please check your email inbox".
However, I did not received an activation email.
Even after clicking on "Resend email for confirmation" I do not receive an email..

Possible reason A: The email has ended up in the spam folder. Please check the spam folder of your email address.

Possible reason B: When you registered as a participant, you entered an email address in your personal data that does not exist.
Please proceed with point 3.3 "Forgotten login/password".

3.3 Forgotten Login/Passwort

If you simply have forgotten your login/password and you are sure, your email address in the registration data is correct, just click
Login
and fill in the form.

You will receive an email and via clicking the enclosed link you can log in once and set a new user name or password in your registration data.

If you are not sure whether your email address is entered correctly in the registration data, please fill in the form below.
You will receive an email and via clicking the enclosed link you can access your registration data and update your settings.

Formular

3.8 Changing the name of a club

A renaming of clubs is not possible. Club ratings and statistics from previous years would be changed!
Please go to FAQ point 3.7 "Creating a new club" and fill out the form.
As soon as the club has been created, each participant concerned has to select it as his new competition club in his participant data and save it.
From the next flight of a new season on your flights will be scored for the new club.

3.9 Creating a new airfield (only for GLD)

Formular

Please enter coordinates in degrees, minutes seconds. For example for N49° 30' 27" E011° 26' 51" write N493027 E0112651.
The airport name must not have more than 20 characters.

3.10 Creating a new type of aircraft

Formular

3.11 Merging of clubs

A merger of clubs is not possible. Club ratings and statistics from previous years would be changed!

3.12 Changing the email address in my account remains ineffective.

If you enter or change the email address in your participant data, an e-mail containing a link will be sent to this new address after saving.
The new address will only be activated by clicking on it. Otherwise, the old address or an empty field will remain in your participant data.

4. (OLC-)Story

How does the upload of photos work?

You can add up to 30 photos in the flight information of your respective flight. It does not matter if the flight took place a longer time ago.
If your photos contain timestamps and/or GPS coordinates, this is optimal and they will be automatically assigned in the timeline and position.
If this information is missing (e.g. it is often filtered out by the iPhone during the upload process), these photos are initially displayed at the bottom of the timeline.
After uploading, please enter the time in UTC manually so that the photos are correctly assigned in the timeline and position.

required data, please fill in completely.

reason for flight request*