Frequently asked questions - Sports calendar

Frequently asked questions - Sports Calendar

Federation news13 December 20236 min read

Registration and terms

Where do I register?

Registrations for official FFPLUM competitions are now made through the Member area in a few clicks.

This makes it possible to:

Create a reliable record of the competitor's career.
Guarantee the proper use of data.
Offer a simplified tool with no duplication of documents or information already entered.

This area will use the data you already entered when you took out your licence.

Frequently asked questions - Sports Calendar

Additional digital material can be uploaded in this area.

If you have a co-pilot or navigator, have their details to hand: co-pilot / navigator licence number.

How to get there:

Go to your FFPLUM Member area: https://licencie.ffplum.fr/
Click the blue “EVENT REGISTRATION” banner.
In the area for your choice, click "REGISTER" and follow the instructions.

What fees or entry charges will have to be paid?

The organiser publishes the entry charges and the cost of the services available on site (toilets, catering, accommodation, camping, fuel, etc.).

Who can take part in the competitions?

All members holding a pilot certificate, as pilot in command.

All members, as navigator.

Supporter licences are not accepted.

Can I bring someone with me?

The competitor may be accompanied by:

A navigator with all mandatory documents up to date
Technical helpers or support.

They must inform the organiser regarding entry charges and the race director regarding the sporting side.

Companions other than the navigator do not have access to the briefings, unless the race director grants an exemption.

What status will competitions not organised by the federation have?

In France, microlight competitions must be approved by the FFPLUM through the Sports committee. They are included in the season’s sports calendar and are official.

If you have a project, it is very useful to talk to the Sports Division to determine its status and insurance cover.

The CRULMs organise regional competitions. CRULMs may apply to host a national competition at a site that has already been approved for a competition.

A club must rely on the Regional Committee to host and organise a competition

Equipment

Is it planned to sell competition items on the FFPLUM website?

The federal shop will gradually add products for sports flying (clothing and accessories). The idea is to offer products targeted at members.

I fly a single-seat weight-shift microlight fitted with a Rotax 447 engine that burns 10 litres per hour. Can I take part in competitions in France and be competitive despite this fairly high consumption?

You need to consider the weight-shift's efficiency and not just its hourly consumption. At a speed of 80 km/h or 120 km/h, the efficiency will be 8 km/L or 12 km/L.
Moreover, given the events in the catalogue of national and international competitions, the share attributable to pure machine efficiency is now limited.

In a pure economy event, it is generally flying with the engine off that makes the difference between crews.
That leaves the other events, where you need to excel and where efficiency has no direct impact.

Events and rules

When will the 2025 version of the 2025 French championship rules be published, please?

The rules will be published at most 1 months before the start of the French Championship.

Open Slalom France? Will there be a slalom open in France in 2024?

We are keeping the objective of holding a French Slalom open in 2025, at the sites already visited.

Must the events of regional competitions be taken from the official event catalogue of the current year?

Yes, that is the rule. However, the race director may introduce new events, as a trial, with a view to developing the catalogue for the future.

For paramotors: to appear in the permanent ranking, competitions must be consistent with one another, and it is also important that competitors know the events they will have to tackle before the competition.

Will there be a national paramotor ranking in 2024? If so, which competitions will count towards the ranking and how?

For Paramotor, the 2023 bonus system is dropped in favour of a permanent ranking.

Regarding the national ranking, how do you take into account the fact that some events are inaccessible? For example, slalom is currently inaccessible to almost everyone. So those in the slalom world championship will get points while the others do not even have the chance to try. That is demotivating and unfair.

For the moment, given the small number of competitors due to the lack of sites, slalom is not affected by this ranking.

Are you considering a way to reward pilots who fly distance flights, and if so how?

Work is under way on integrating the XContest competition.

Will there be a team ranking at the 2024 French championship?

No, the traditional rankings will be used.

Licence, insurance and medical certificate

I fly a two-seater: does my navigator have to be a member?

The navigator contributes to the crew's performance.

They are considered a competitor and must therefore be a member, with an up-to-date medical certificate of no contraindication to microlight flying in competition.

Do I need special insurance, and which medical certificate is required?

The cover under the FFPLUM insurance programme includes flying in competition. Third-party liability cover is compulsory, but we also recommend taking out Personal Accident cover. You must hold a medical certificate of no contraindication to microlight flying in competition that is valid on the date of the competition (less than one year old).

A valid Class 2 medical certificate is accepted.

France Team

SIV courses?

Flight safety is a federation priority. It must be driven by the pilot as part of their own development, and support is already available in the regions.

This subject was raised by the sports team and was started as early as 2024 as part of an approach that is still being developed:

- with the definition of objectives: aim for demanding types of flying.
- the content of courses co-designed with the host club or school: content adapted to paramotoring and to the discipline.
- and the definition of target groups: according to the level to be defined and the pilot's background.

Two dates are already scheduled in 2025, shown in the calendar as national courses.

Precise information will be communicated in good time so that the target groups can be mobilised.

When will the members of the France Paramotor Team WhatsApp group be updated (removing those who no longer compete and adding the new ones)?

It is updated continuously.

How do I get selected for the France Team? How are selections organised?

Access to the Collectif France is organised by the DTN, with the national coaches, in 2 cases:

- Following a talent-spotting at competitions or other sporting events.

- At the pilot's request. An assessment is scheduled.

Collectif France link > https://ffplum.fr/images/Sport/2023/Fiche_pratique_Collectif_France.pdf

Link to request joining the Collectif France >

https://ffplum.fr/images/Sport/2023/Demande_dintegration_au_Collectif_France.pdf

How do you form a French team?

The national coach proposes a team with reference to the international competition, and the DTN approves it and calls up the new team for national training and international deadlines. An evaluation grid is used for selection.

Hosting a competition or an introduction day (application, procedures, budget, volunteers)