CNTU Flying Rules [For PDF version Click Here]
1. Each flyer to fly minimum of three (3) to a maximum of fifteen (15) Tipplers in CNTU competition excluding the Stock Fly where a minimum of eight (8) birds and maximum of fifteen (15) are required. Stock kits may be flown in any scheduled competition and compete on par with regular sized kits.
2. The kit longest on wing to win, providing that there are no objections made against them (kit and/or flyer) and that the kit flies to the following rules.
3. The CNTU will not designate an official starting time, but will leave this up to the option of the Local Club or flyer. However, the Timer must be on hand to check the band numbers of each kit bird and to observe the release.
4. The Central Timer must be notified by Friday (8pm) of the scheduled fly weekend at the latest by all flyers intending to fly in competition, whether competing in Honor or Official systems.
5. All competing birds must be banded with a reputable size ‘A’ seamless band showing the year, number and organization thereon, i.e., FTA, ATU, APC, CNTU or Local Club.
6. In Young Bird Series, only youngsters banded with recognized Tippler organization (i.e., FTA, FTS, ATU, CNTU, etc.) bands are eligible.. Young birds may compete in old bird contests.
7. In any Union competition a flyer found flying birds with stretched or tampered bands shall be disqualified.
8. Record Flys:
a. A record may be established only on an arranged weekday fly or a scheduled fly. The flyer is required to have one qualified timer. If a record is accomplished, it must pass two-thirds majority vote of the Executive Board before being accepted as a Club, Canadian or Continental record. Only those flys flown on Canadian soil may be considered for Canadian records.
b. In an arranged weekday fly, the flyer must submit a written request to the President and the Secretary informing them of his intent to compete in a weekday fly in order to receive consent. The Executive must receive the written request ten (10) days prior to the intended fly date. The weekday fly must take place in the week of the scheduled fly weekend only. The arranged fly is in lieu of the scheduled weekend fly and not in addition to and must be flown prior to the weekend, not after. Therefore, a maximum of 14 possible flys per year still apply to all members. This consideration/consent is given to those members that otherwise would not be able to compete due to work and family commitments.
c. If a record is broken, a detailed flying report must be turned into the Club, copies mailed to the CNTU Secretary and the President within 24 hours following the fly.
9. Kit to be liberated no earlier than one hour prior to sunrise as stated in the local newspaper in that area, and released no later than ten (10) A.M. on the morning of the fly, and at the termination of the fly settled within the Flyer’s boundary, trapped and checked in by the Timer. In checking in, Timer must compare the band numbers of each kit bird with those numbers taken at the time of release.
10. Kit still on the wing at 12:00 midnight will be considered still on the same fly day until dropped and trapped, or disqualified for infractions of the flying rules.
11. Time is to be taken when; bird drops from kit without inducement, droppers put out, or dropping lights put on. Elapsed flying time determined by the difference between earliest of these times and the time of liberation.
12. Timer is free to judge from whatever location he considers best to verify that the kit is performing in compliance with the competition rules. Each flyer is to present the timer with the CNTU Flying Rules prior to the commencement of the fly.
13. When first bird drops without inducement, droppers put out or dropping lights turned on, flyer has (1) hour to settle and trap the entire kit or be disqualified.
14. Non-Kit Birds a. DROPPER RULE – Any breed other than Tippler may be used as a dropper working outside of a wire confinement or exposed directly to the flying kit. Tippler may be used in a wire confinement but not exposed directly to the flying kit at anytime during dropping and trapping period or anytime thereafter until band numbers are checked. b. RETURNING BIRD – Should any bird(s) return to flyer’s loft during the flying period, time shall be noted, a description given, band number taken, and matter decided by the Executive Board.
15. Kit must be released within the flyer’s boundary.
16. Flyer’s boundary is 100 feet radius from center of flying loft.
17. Any bird settling within flyer’s boundary at starting time, five (5) minutes from starting time shall be allowed flyer to get it on the wing again, should he fail to do so in the time limit, he shall be disqualified.
18. Birds dropping outside of flyer’s boundary, time is to be taken and flyer is to be disqualified.
19. Any flyer’s birds raking away from the sight of the Timer during the first 2 1/2 hours of the fly shall be allowed the remainder of the first 2 1/2 hours or one hour, whichever longer, for birds to reappear in sight. Thereafter kit must be seen at least once an hour until the conclusion of the fly.
20. Should the Timer see just cause for disqualification, the Timer must acquaint the flyer of the reason, before leaving.
21. If a Timer refuses to sign a Timer’s report, the flyer may submit it to the Secretary with a complete report by both the flyer and the Timer and the fly will be taken under consideration by the Executive Board if the Secretary feels it merits their consideration.
22. The Timer is to have access to any location he is appointed to judge.
23. Any Flyer insulting or hindering the Timer in the execution of his duties shall be disqualified. A report of the incident filed with the Executive Board by the Timer involved.
24. Anyone who is a CNTU member, known as a Tippler fancier, not related to the flyer by blood or marriage, and not the flyer’s partner, may act as a Timer if familiar with the Flying Rules and not barred from flying or being a Timer by the CNTU or other Tippler organizations. Any pigeon fancier, preferably a Tippler Fancier who is approved by the recognized Tippler organization, may serve as a Timer for any CNTU member. He does not have to be a member of the CNTU. His Tippler organization acceptance must be sent to the CNTU President and Secretary.
25. A Timer may be relieved at any time during the day, but he must not leave until the relief Timer has arrived and been briefed and the band numbers of the kit given to that person. Both Timers must sign the Flying Report and state time that the relief Timer took over.
26. If the kit is on a split, not able to all be seen by the Timer at the same time, the flyer has thirty minutes to decide whether he will drop his kit or take a chance on their getting together. If he drops them within the hour limit, he gets credit for the time flown up to the time dropper is released. If the kit does not drop, flyer is disqualified. Should flyer opt not to drop the kit and they can all be verified as flying, no matter how far apart they may be, time is allowed to continue until termination of the fly.
27. Should flyer decide to drop the kit, he should inform the Timer of his intentions to do so, and method of the drop. If eligible to drop kit, time is to be taken when method of drop is acted upon.
28. No gadgets or whistles are to be attached to birds in competition.
29. No one is allowed near the flying loft while the kit is flying, except with the permission of the Timer.
30. No flyer is to alter the appearance of the loft in any way within the seven (7) day period prior to the competition date.
31. Any nuisance belonging to the premises must not be allowed in the area during the competition.
32. The flying report must contain the following information: Date, name and address of flyer, age and sex of kit birds, starting and finishing times, number of birds in kit, band numbers of kit birds, time flown, summary of weather conditions and general remarks. Report must be complete and accurate, containing all the required information.
33. A fully completed copy of the flying report must be submitted to the Secretary. Submit in person or by mail within 24 hours after the fly. Postmarked by Monday unless a holiday. Submission is required regardless of the time flown or if disqualified.
34. Any circumstances arising that are not governed by the foregoing rules, the Executive Board shall have full power to act thereon, and their decisions in all matters will be final.
35. Band numbers of kit birds to be noted on flying report by the Timer before releasing the kit.
36. Upon being dropped and trapped, band numbers to be compared with aforementioned list. If not identical, flyer disqualified.
37. DRIVING BIRDS – Any person frightening birds or causing them to be frightened or chased, either directly or indirectly, the Timer shall satisfy himself that the flyer did not personally frighten his kit, or induce outsiders to do so. Otherwise, time shall be noted on flying report, and a complete report of the incident shall be submitted to the Central Timer. The Timer however, continues to time until the kit drops. Both times must be shown on flying report. Executive Board to rule on the matter and decide whether the kit is to be disqualified at the time of the incident or fly credited to the time of normal termination.
38. Lights may be used prior to release, to handle of kit, to verify band numbers, etc., but all artificial lighting in loft must be extinguished before the kit is released.
39. The use of artificial lighting when dropping the kit after dark will be permitted under the following rules: a. Any competitor’s kit flying until dark (dark will be considered that period of time falling ten (10) minutes after official local weather bureau designated time for sunset) may continue to fly in competition as long as they can be seen at least once each hour. b. Birds are termed as still being a kit if they can all be seen in the dark at the same time, regardless of how far apart they are flying. No artificial lighting may be used for this task. Kit must be seen once each hour during dark flying. c. If the kit is seen to be split up after dark refer to rule #26. d. When flyer wishes to drop kit, he must inform the Timer that he is going to turn on dropping lights and the Timer will take time. e. The flyer will have one (1) hour from the time lights are turned on to drop and trap kit. Flyer may catch any bird actually roosting within the boundary. If not done in time limit, flyer will be disqualified. f. If the whole kit is seen together after the lights have been put on, time is to be taken when lights were first shown, even though birds have not been seen within the hour allowed.
40. Any person residing in North America may become a member of the CNTU enjoying all privileges of the club. Persons residing outside of North America may also join and become Associate Members not having flying, voting or band privileges.
41. Any member flying in competition over 8 hours in either system (Honor or Official) without being disqualified and abides by the rules and regulations of the Fly Rules will receive a diploma. In addition, first place finishers in either system will receive a trophy at the conclusion of the season. Out of province members that cannot attend the Annual General Meeting in January will receive rosettes instead.