This might not be the most engaging read you'll encounter today, but if you want to win an Icarus X Series race then you'd best pay attention. Settle down in your favourite chair and have a good old read of this lot.

1. Overview

The Icarus Trophy is an adventure and paramotoring competition for international paramotor pilots (the Race).

1.2 The principal challenge is to travel the course unsupported from the designated start point to the designated finish line travelling in the directions of the course only by paramotor or on foot.

1.3 All decisions regarding the organisation and running of the Icarus Trophy are made by the Race Committee. The Race Committee consists of:

Kester Haynes
Tom Morgan
Dan Wedgwood

1.4 The Race Committee reserves the right to change these rules before and during the race.

2. Conditions for Participation

Only pilots approved by the Race Committee will be allowed to take part in the Race.

2.1 Pilots must enter as an individual unless agreement is reached with the Race Committee prior to entry.

2.2 All participants must be experienced paramotor pilots with an appropriate skill level including but not limited to knowledge of aviation laws and regulations, cross country experience and emergency landing procedures. 

2.3 The equipment and piloting skill will be checked prior to the race but the pilot remains responsible for deciding if they have the correct experience, skill and equipment to fly safely without endangering themselves and others and these rules in no way override or interfere with the disclaimers, warranties, indemnifications and acknowledgement of risk entered into as part of the Entry Agreement by each pilot.

2.4 Every Pilot must prove they have in place appropriate third party liability insurance for the paramotor used during this competition.

2.5 Every Pilot must sign and agree to the terms and conditions in the pilot entry agreement and pay the entry fee as set out on the official race website.

2.6 Pending proof of appropriate skill level and equipment entry is on a first come first served basis subject to approval by the Race Committee.

2.7 Pilots must elect to enter Race Division or Adventure Division before the race begins. It is possible for a pilot to start in Race Division and switch to Adventure Division during the race but it is not possible to start the race in Adventure Division and switch to Race Division. The Race Committee reserves the right to move pilots from Race to Adventure Divisions for reasons of safety, rule breaches or other reasons as required that will be notified to pilots affected. 

3. General Conditions

No unsportsmanlike behaviour will be tolerated,  as decided and defined by the race committee on a case by case basis. The following rules apply to all pilots: 

3.1 Pilots must not in any circumstance endanger themselves or others, or bring the sport into disrepute in any way - as decided by the event organisers.

3.2 Pilots must respect Visual Flight Rules regulations.

3.3 Pilots must respect all areas on the race course that are marked as no fly zones.

3.4 Follow all national, regional, city, county or any other local aviation regulations as appropriate for the given race course. Any Pilot violating any relevant regulation takes full responsibility for any and all legal consequences.

3.5 Pilots must only fly in weather they are confident and capable of conducting a safe flight.

3.6 Pilots must maintain their own equipment to a safe operational standard at all times.

3.7 Pilots must plan and choose their own flight plans within the bounds of the course. Course details can be found in the pilot handbook.

3.8 The race course is open to fly from 05:00 BST to 21:30 BST for all pilots regardless of division.

3.9 During the race all pilots must carry the official race tracking device as given to them by the race officials and adhere to the following rules:

3.9.1 Pilots must keep the tracker activated, charged and maintained.

3.9.2 The race tracker must be set to report their position at 5 minute intervals during course opening hours.

3.9.3 During an overnight or any other period when stopped and planning to turn off the tracker as you are safe and not currently competing in the event.

3.9.4 Before setting off on each flight pilots must send a departure message to confirm your intention to begin competing.

3.9.5 Pilots must follow race protocols for messages sent to Race HQ on each landing including intention to fly and/or termination for the day if no further intention to fly. 

3.9.6 Any pilot found flying without the tracker will be disqualified.

3.9.7 Pilots must be prepared for spot checks on equipment and compliance with the rules by the race committee at any point during the race.

3.9.8 Refer to the website and the pilot's handbook for full race schedules.

3.10 Adventure Division Rules

3.10.1 The Adventure Division is non competitive, untimed and support of any nature acceptable. 

3.10.2 Adventure Division pilots will not receive a competitive leaderboard position but will be placed as 'Completed' if all checkpoints are passed and physical stamps collected. The order of appearance for any pilots who do not complete the course will be decided by number of miles flown. 

3.10.3 The winner of the Adventure Division will be decided by the Race Committee based on the adventurous nature of their participation and number of miles flown. The winner is chosen entirely at the discretion of the Race Committee. 

3.11 Race Division Rules

3.11.1 Pilots entering the Race Division must adhere to the following rules to remain eligible for an official placing on the leaderboard in this division: 

3.11.2 Pilots must pass through all official checkpoints including the start and finish line and maintain a track log as evidence. 

3.11.3 Pilots must land at each Checkpoint and collect a physical stamp in their log book. Any interference with the stamp including not returning it to its stated position for the next pilots could result in immediate disqualification. 

3.11.4  Pilots must launch from within 200 meters of their landing point. If no suitable launch site can be found inside this area pilots can only travel back towards the start line in search of a suitable launch site.

3.11.5  Pilots must remain unsupported for the entire event. This is defined as pilots must

3.11.6 use only ‘open access’ support i.e. anything that any non-participating person can access e.g. petrol stations, random lifts from strangers, buses etc… and;

3.11.7 not use any pre-planned or designated assets, or advanced logistical help. e.g race support team / chase vehicle, pre-positioned spares / logistics caches, roadside assistance, etc..

3.11.8 Pilots can only further their race position by means of flying their equipment or on foot carrying all their flying equipment with them. (Pilots may backtrack by other means of transport to find suitable launch location).

3.11.9 The Race Division pilot that completes the race first after penalties are applied will be the winner.

3.11.10 Pilots can use other forms of transport to travel to a place of rest, or to find petrol or spare parts, but must return to within 200m of where they landed before continuing the race. If this is not possible pilots must track back towards their previous checkpoint to find a suitable launch location so as not to advance their position towards the finish line in any way. 

3.11.11 During the race, pilots must travel forwards towards the finish line flying at all times. Any other transportation assistance in the direction of the finish line is prohibited and will result in you being made a non-competitive participant and your time will no longer be recorded.

4. Penalties

4.1 Pilots who do not comply with any of these race rules may be subject to a penalty.

4.2 Penalties can range from a 3 hour hold upwards to being made non-competitive. Pilots deemed to be endangering their own or anyone’s safety, or breaking the law will be instantly disqualified.

4.3 All penalties will be issued by the race committee.

4.4 The race committee will decide if pilots must sit out any penalties during the race or have them applied to their time after completion.

5. Equipment

5.1 All flying equipment has to be certified and fulfill the latest edition of the following certification standards:

5.1.1 Paraglider: EN 926-2 and 926-1 or LTF 91/09 or CCC

5.1.2 Harness: EN 1651 or LTF 91/09

5.1.3 Rescue system: EN 12491 or LTF 91/09

5.1.4 Helmet: EN 966 or DOT certification. CE EN1077 and ASTM F2040 are also valid

5.2 Pilots must always fly with the mandatory equipment as specified by the race committee.

5.2.1 Mandatory equipment list
5.2.1.1 Race tracker (provided by Race Committee)
5.2.1.2 Mobile phone
5.2.1.3 GPS or compass
5.2.1.4 Digital or paper maps/air charts
5.2.1.5 Helmet

5.3 Spare parts & tools should be carried by the pilots as required.