Applying for Badges

Before You Fly

You should consider it mandatory to have read all of the FAI rules beforehand. Don't wait until the night before the flight to read the rules. https://www.fai.org/sites/default/files/sc3c_2022.pdf
Be sure you have a proper oxygen system. At these altitudes, I consider it a life support system. Don't skimp out on this.
If you don't already do this regularly, you should get an account on https://www.WeGlide.org and https://www.Onlinecontest.org . You should upload your flights -- every flight -- and review your flights with this interface.
Be sure you've identified who is going to be your official observer
Be sure you have a valid IGC logger. https://members.ssa.org/files/member/igcapproval_table_history_2020-10-27_0.pdf
Know how to log your name onto your flight recorder properly. If your name isn't on the IGC file, you're going to have problems. Don't try to figure this out on the day of your wave flight.
Know how to use your device, and how to download the IGC off of it. Don't wait until the badge day to do this the first time.
You should know when your flight recorder was last calibrated, and you should have that calibration sheet somewhere handy. I scan mine and store them safely each time I get a new piece of equipment. You'll need to include the calibration sheet when doing an altitude claim.
- Official list of calibration labs: https://www.dropbox.com/s/wmyxctaplw9g160/Calibration%20Labs%202022.pdf?dl=1
Your best chance to get into the wave is a launch at dawn. Have your glider 110% ready the night before. Have it so ready that your sunglasses are hanging on the instrument panel, ready to go. You want to do as little as possible before launching at dawn.

While You're Flying

Be sure you release in the wave. Don't get off too soon! On the good wave days you might not make it to the wave, and you'll scamper back to the airport in defeat. Who knows how long it will be until you get airborne again!

After releasing, make a hard turn to the right, (like you always do, right?). Don't forget!

FAI Section 3 Annex C, 4.2

4.2 Start and finish options The start and finish of a badge or record flight are the places where mistakes may occur because of the several alternatives available. The start holds much potential for error or miscalculation of position or height that could negate the remainder of the flight. There are several ways to start (SC3-1.3.1) and finish (SC3-1.3.2). See also the Task Table at the end of SC3 Chapter 1.

a. Lack of clear low point following the launch could result in a claim being denied or heavily penalized due to uncertainty in determining the Loss of Height (LoH). This is usually not a problem with a winch launch or stopping an engine. For an aerotow, make a rapid turn immediately after release. After a tow into wave lift, make a rapid turn or descend for at least 20 metres for a positive start point to register on your FR/PR.

Make note of your release height, or lowest point. Given the altimeter setting, you'll need to climb to a certain flight level to get your diamond climb. Refer to this handy table below. For any given altimeter setting and max climb, find the highest low point and still get diamond altitude.

max aerotow height

Take some pictures or some video. You don't get to do this kind of flying very often. Don't take pictures at the cost of flying the aircraft safely, though.

Make sure your oxygen system is still working! Please don't climb into the wave with a busted or non-functional oxygen system.

After You Land

Make sure you shut off your flight recorder properly! Don't just flip off the master power switch, make sure that the flight computer has properly recorded a flight signature after landing.
- There's at least one case of a diamond altitude climb that was nullified by a flight recorder that didn't record a valid signature. (Piet in 2011!) Don't let that happen to you.
Have your Observer get that IGC off of the flight computer as soon as possible.
Have your Observer look at the IGC file as soon as possible. If there is a problem with your climb, you might be able to get another launch and do the flight again. If you wait until you get home from the airport, it might be too late.
Use an IGC file validator to ensure that the IGC digital signature is valid. If it's not, you might as well go back up in the air and do your flight again. Uploading the flight to WeGlide or OLC and looking for the green "V" is a suitable check to see if the signature is valid or not.
POST YOUR IGC TO WeGlide and OLC.

Submitting Your Flight

Go to the SSA website to fill in the application. The URL is https://www.ssa.org/ssa-badge-award-application/
Be sure to upload your .igc file and a scan of your calibration sheet. If you don't have a calibration sheet, you need to act fast. Send this calibration off to one of the SSA-approved calibration labs right away. The clock is ticking! You have two months to submit this badge claim. https://www.ssa.org/faq-items/when-are-flight-recorder-calibrations-required/
Use an IGC file viewer to determine when you released. Try to figure out what the Lat/Long of your release coordinates are.
Fill in as much of the form as you can. Use your Official Observer to help.
Once you've got enough information, use your mouse and cursor to sign the pilot attestation statement.
Send the attestation statement to your observer, so he or she can sign it.
Anxiously wait for the Badges & Records official for the SSA to approve your claim. Wait by your email inbox, because sometimes you may have to answer questions about the badge claim.