Pre-Worlds 2003 questionnaire evaluation

Evaluation of questionnaire responses by competitors participating in the Pre-Worlds Hot Air Balloon Championships June-July 2003 Mildura, Australia
Returns for this questionnaire were 16 out of 29 competitors. Over all, the event was a success with most concerns that were raised being already on the organisors list of “jobs to do”. The single biggest issue was refuelling. This was acknowledged and this is being dealt with by the organisors. A new map was to be used for this practice event but was not ready in time. This will be available soon. One disappointing point is the lack of backup the organisor seems to have had from operational staff in addressing and replying to this questionaire. Being a pre-worlds it would have been expected for there to be detailed and informed answers to the issues raised by competitors at the 2003 event. This has not been the case. “We will attempt to do better next time” is not really the level of response the CSC or competitors who took the time to carry out the questionnaire were looking for. Sean Kavanagh

Evaluation of questionnaire responses by competitors participating in the
Pre-Worlds Hot Air Balloon Championships
June-July 2003
Mildura, Australia
Preworlds

Returns for this questionnaire were 16 out of 29 competitors.

Over all, the event was a success with most concerns that were raised being already on the organisors list of “jobs to do”. The single biggest issue was refuelling. This was acknowledged and this is being dealt with by the organisors.

A new map was to be used for this practice event but was not ready in time. This will be available soon.

One disappointing point is the lack of backup the organisor seems to have had from operational staff in addressing and replying to this questionaire.

Being a pre-worlds it would have been expected for there to be detailed and informed answers to the issues raised by competitors at the 2003 event. This has not been the case. “We will attempt to do better next time” is not really the level of response the CSC or competitors who took the time to carry out the questionnaire were looking for.

Sean Kavanagh

Competition

Are you generally satisfied with the competition pleasure of this event? 93%

Participant Comments:
Recall procedure needs to be in place.

I am very satisfied to take part in a very well organised competition.

Organiser Reply:
The recall procedure worked this year, this issue is being considered in the planning for the 2004 WC.

Please rate the task setting (task variety, solo, multiple etc.) 80%

Participant Comments:

Task setting not as good/varied as in 2001 but probably due to the weather.
Insufficient task variety.
Weather prevented greater variety – good under the circumstances.

Organiser Reply:
The weather was a significant issue and the tasks were acceptable given the circumstances.

Please rate the competition area (PZs, free flying area / max. altitude, land owner relation, cattle etc.) 65%

Participant Comments:

Some parts of the competition area are now very landing unfriendly, especially when the wind is of even modest speed. This is the result of dense vine plantings and power wires.
Initial information implied that there were very few PZ's However two weeks before the event a list of 21 PZs was published.
Airspace needs to be controlled better in order to ensure separation from other aircraft. Max altitude was too low.
Some PZ could be deleted if extra effort was made, a combination of Mildura People and officials pleading, discussing the issues with landowners. The extra effort would be worth it to remove even one PZ.
They (PZs) are a pain and cause unfair results due to the avoidance required.
Less PZs please. PZs too big and too many. Too many unnecessary PZs such as the Avery near Tafe.

Organiser Reply:
We will try and improve this situation for 2004.

Please rate the competition map (accuracy, grid / map datum, readability, comp. details printed, etc.) Note: keep in mind that for 2004 a new map will be used that will use newer data and a single sheet. 65%

Participant Comments:
If the new map will be able to be over printed with the updated PZ's
A common method of relaying this PZ information onto ALL maps is necessary.
Ambiguous intersections should be officially "marked up" or eliminated. There are at least a dozen or so intersections that can be legitimately debated.
PZ's on official map were not accurate.
Some PZ's did not seem to have stock as indicated on map.
Face to face needed with all PZ related farmers

Organiser Reply:
We are aware of the short comings of the current map. A new map is well underway for the 2004 event.

Please rate the task briefings (orderly, use of language, PA system, task sheets etc.) 92%

Participant Comments:
Urgently need either a bigger room and/or loudspeakers outside.
Crew need more information.
A little slow to get moving.

Organiser Reply:
It is obvious that the current auditorium is not large enough for the 2004 WC. A larger room is in the planning for the 2004 WC.

Please rate the weather briefings (sufficient information, to the point, use of language, WX sheets, pi-bal readings etc.) 90%

Participant Comments:
Weather data in winds towards and KPH.
Met breifings during reading time.
Too much irrelevant information in met briefing.
More current info needed - almost 3 hours old by launch.
Suggest latest wind readings be available on launch field or straight after briefing.

Organiser Reply:
The BOM always provide an excellent weather service.

Please rate the scoring (provisional results, speedy publication of scores, accuracy etc.) 70%

Participant Comments:
This year the speed of declaring results had greatly improved, but accuracy probably suffered.
Some provisional results were very quick while others will really slow.
Results on web were not well organised or clearly labelled.
When last checked they were still not updated with finals.
Also individual tasks were not available for viewing online.

Organiser Reply:
This area will be improved for 2004.

Please rate the launch areas (Tafe, Airfield or Glider Field) 81%

Participant Comments:
Glider field needed to be marked out with launch spots.
Tafe is difficult in windy conditions due to contact with adjacent launch vehicles.
Can Launch sites be made bigger? Why no diagram of the Launch field?
Tafe is too close to the built up area.
Tafe has PZ too close to it.
Tafe launch site layout was different to the one shown in the event ops manual.
If the spaces could be any bigger it would be better.

Organiser Reply:
The TAFE launch spaces are the required 25m x 25 m. The glider field will be marked out in 2004. Another permanent alternative launch field will be chosen.

Competition
Are you generally satisfied with the competition pleasure of this event?	93%
Participant Comments: Recall procedure needs to be in place. I am very satisfied to take part in a very well organised competition.
Organiser Reply: The recall procedure worked this year, this issue is being considered in the planning for the 2004 WC.
Please rate the task setting (task variety, solo, multiple etc.)	80%
Participant Comments: Task setting not as good/varied as in 2001 but probably due to the weather. Insufficient task variety. Weather prevented greater variety – good under the circumstances.
Organiser Reply: The weather was a significant issue and the tasks were acceptable given the circumstances.
Please rate the competition area (PZs, free flying area / max. altitude, land owner relation, cattle etc.)	65%
Participant Comments: Some parts of the competition area are now very landing unfriendly, especially when the wind is of even modest speed. This is the result of dense vine plantings and power wires. Initial information implied that there were very few PZ's However two weeks before the event a list of 21 PZs was published. Airspace needs to be controlled better in order to ensure separation from other aircraft. Max altitude was too low. Some PZ could be deleted if extra effort was made, a combination of Mildura People and officials pleading, discussing the issues with landowners. The extra effort would be worth it to remove even one PZ. They (PZs) are a pain and cause unfair results due to the avoidance required. Less PZs please. PZs too big and too many. Too many unnecessary PZs such as the Avery near Tafe.
Organiser Reply: We will try and improve this situation for 2004.
Please rate the competition map (accuracy, grid / map datum, readability, comp. details printed, etc.) Note: keep in mind that for 2004 a new map will be used that will use newer data and a single sheet.	65%
Participant Comments: If the new map will be able to be over printed with the updated PZ's A common method of relaying this PZ information onto ALL maps is necessary. Ambiguous intersections should be officially "marked up" or eliminated. There are at least a dozen or so intersections that can be legitimately debated. PZ's on official map were not accurate. Some PZ's did not seem to have stock as indicated on map. Face to face needed with all PZ related farmers
Organiser Reply: We are aware of the short comings of the current map. A new map is well underway for the 2004 event.
Please rate the task briefings (orderly, use of language, PA system, task sheets etc.)	92%
Participant Comments: Urgently need either a bigger room and/or loudspeakers outside. Crew need more information. A little slow to get moving.
Organiser Reply: It is obvious that the current auditorium is not large enough for the 2004 WC. A larger room is in the planning for the 2004 WC.
Please rate the weather briefings (sufficient information, to the point, use of language, WX sheets, pi-bal readings etc.)	90%
Participant Comments: Weather data in winds towards and KPH. Met breifings during reading time. Too much irrelevant information in met briefing. More current info needed - almost 3 hours old by launch. Suggest latest wind readings be available on launch field or straight after briefing.
Organiser Reply: The BOM always provide an excellent weather service.
Please rate the scoring (provisional results, speedy publication of scores, accuracy etc.)	70%
Participant Comments: This year the speed of declaring results had greatly improved, but accuracy probably suffered. Some provisional results were very quick while others will really slow. Results on web were not well organised or clearly labelled. When last checked they were still not updated with finals. Also individual tasks were not available for viewing online.
Organiser Reply: This area will be improved for 2004.
Please rate the launch areas (Tafe, Airfield or Glider Field)	81%
Participant Comments: Glider field needed to be marked out with launch spots. Tafe is difficult in windy conditions due to contact with adjacent launch vehicles. Can Launch sites be made bigger? Why no diagram of the Launch field? Tafe is too close to the built up area. Tafe has PZ too close to it. Tafe launch site layout was different to the one shown in the event ops manual. If the spaces could be any bigger it would be better.
Organiser Reply: The TAFE launch spaces are the required 25m x 25 m. The glider field will be marked out in 2004. Another permanent alternative launch field will be chosen.

Event Organisation

Please rate the communication process before event (entry forms, information etc.) 72%

Participant Comments:
Communication was average.
Information or maps showing exactly how to get to key locations would help.
Especially in the week prior to the event next year.

Organiser Reply:
We will attempt to do better for next year.

Please rate your experience after arrival (welcome, check-in, location information, road signs etc.) 71%

Participant Comments:
Check-in seemed disorganised.
Check in staff will need to many and well organised.

Organiser Reply:
We will attempt to do better next year.

Please rate the handling of your individual needs (Rent-a-car and/or hotel reservation, balloon equip. helium etc.) 86%

Participant Comments:
No comments received

Organiser Reply:
We will do better next year.

Please rate your accommodation (Booking service, quality and location) 92%

Participant Comments:
Discount for providing own accommodation?
Great accommodation but organised privately.

Organiser Reply:
Mildura is renown for its excellent accommodation and services.

Refuelling (refuelling times, enough filling hoses and pressure, carrying distance, etc.) 40%

Participant Comments:
Just adequate after day 1.
Refuelling volunteers need more training!
Potentially very dangerous!
Refuelling needs attention!
Need more gas dispensers.
Refuelling too slow - pilots and crew should be allowed to handle the hoses.
More refuelling points and better queuing system required.
I would like to see tanks out of baskets with trolleys and lots of manifold outlets.
The system in France worked so the same would be good.

Organiser Reply:
We have identified the many issues associated with refuelling and are already attempting to resolve them.

Event Organisation
Please rate the communication process before event (entry forms, information etc.)	72%
Participant Comments: Communication was average. Information or maps showing exactly how to get to key locations would help. Especially in the week prior to the event next year.
Organiser Reply: We will attempt to do better for next year.
Please rate your experience after arrival (welcome, check-in, location information, road signs etc.)	71%
Participant Comments: Check-in seemed disorganised. Check in staff will need to many and well organised.
Organiser Reply: We will attempt to do better next year.
Please rate the handling of your individual needs (Rent-a-car and/or hotel reservation, balloon equip. helium etc.)	86%
Participant Comments: No comments received
Organiser Reply: We will do better next year.
Please rate your accommodation (Booking service, quality and location)	92%
Participant Comments: Discount for providing own accommodation? Great accommodation but organised privately.
Organiser Reply: Mildura is renown for its excellent accommodation and services.
Refuelling (refuelling times, enough filling hoses and pressure, carrying distance, etc.)	40%
Participant Comments: Just adequate after day 1. Refuelling volunteers need more training! Potentially very dangerous! Refuelling needs attention! Need more gas dispensers. Refuelling too slow - pilots and crew should be allowed to handle the hoses. More refuelling points and better queuing system required. I would like to see tanks out of baskets with trolleys and lots of manifold outlets. The system in France worked so the same would be good.
Organiser Reply: We have identified the many issues associated with refuelling and are already attempting to resolve them.