XC scoring
How we score XC flights
See how a recorded flight becomes a scoring distance and which factors determine its points.
These rules describe XC distance scoring. Tasks, glide contests and quests can use separate evaluations.
From track to score
Scoring uses the recorded positions of the flight. The start, turnpoints and finish are selected in flown order along the track.
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1. Select the track
When the same flight has an IGC upload and a live track, we use the upload. The live track can serve as a provisional source until then.
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2. Check the flight section
We identify the flight section and correct recognizable GPS outliers. Long ground phases and vehicle movement are not part of the XC distance; problematic recordings can block scoring.
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3. Check XC evidence
XC scoring requires a suitable IGC track with a G record or a demonstrably valid XContest upload. Individual contests can explicitly admit XContest imports without a G record. GPX tracks do not count for XC.
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4. Choose the best variant
We calculate free distance and eligible triangles. The variant with the most points becomes the flight’s XC score. Out-and-return may appear as an additional analysis, but it currently cannot win the XC selection.
Technical minimums
- For automatic flight phase detection: at least 45 seconds and 500 m of flight distance.
- For free distance: at least 5 usable track points.
- For triangle search: at least 50 usable track points and 1 km of triangle perimeter.
These are processing thresholds. Our XC scoring has no general 15 km minimum distance.
Distance and closing gap
Free distance uses straight lines between the scoring start, up to three turnpoints and the scoring finish. A triangle uses three turnpoints. Its closing gap is the direct distance between scoring start and finish.
- Triangle scoring distance
- Triangle perimeter − closing gap
- Points
- Scoring distance × factor
Example: 100 km triangle perimeter − 4 km closing gap = 96 km scoring distance. With a factor of 1.20, that gives 115.20 points.
When does a triangle count?
- The closing gap can be at most 20% of the triangle perimeter.
- A closing gap of at most 5% qualifies for the closed class.
- For an FAI triangle, each of the three sides must measure at least 28% of the perimeter.
The thresholds are inclusive. The closing gap is deducted for closed triangles too. Displayed values are rounded, so calculations using those values may differ slightly.
Current parameters
A contest uses the rules saved for its season. The flightbook score uses the Schöckl base profile. The same flight can therefore receive a different score in a contest.
Current XC contest
BeyondXC Globe · 2027
| Route type | Closing gap | Shortest side | Factor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free distance | – | – | × 1.00 |
| Flat triangle | ≤ 20 % | – | × 1.20 |
| FAI triangle | ≤ 20 % | ≥ 28 % | × 1.40 |
| Closed flat triangle | ≤ 5 % | – | × 1.20 |
| Closed FAI triangle | ≤ 5 % | ≥ 28 % | × 1.40 |
Flightbook · Schöckl base profile
These factors apply to a flight’s base XC score. Contests can save their own factors and thresholds.
| Route type | Closing gap | Shortest side | Factor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free distance | – | – | × 1.00 |
| Flat triangle | ≤ 20 % | – | × 1.20 |
| FAI triangle | ≤ 20 % | ≥ 28 % | × 1.40 |
| Closed flat triangle | ≤ 5 % | – | × 1.20 |
| Closed FAI triangle | ≤ 5 % | ≥ 28 % | × 1.40 |
What else counts in a contest
A flight’s XC points alone are not enough for a ranking. Each season also sets participation conditions.
- The flight must be public and flown within the season. Contest enrollment must be approved.
- The submission deadline, number of counted flights, daily limit and any launch site or country restrictions are set by the contest.
- Rankings can have their own categories and limits. The rules of the specific season apply.
