Hi All,
Sometimes pilots themselves are not the best judge of safety factors. Their own
prejudices and desires can stand in the way of rational decisions.
The Q’land Easter comps had a requirement to cross the 3km radius finish line
at 500ft. Following objections from pilots wishing to fly straight in finals
without height requirements, this condition was not enforced.
All pilots have navigational equipment which allows for finishing at a
predetermined height. We have in the past year had two serious accidents
involving two gliders severely damaged, a fatality and a second very lucky
pilot. As far as I am aware In each case there was not a minimum height for
crossing a finish line. Certainly the recent Q’land accident would not have
occurred if the pilot had allowed extra height for final glide to meet a
minimum requirement. Can’t comment on the Narromine tragedy.
500 ft. 3 km from the centre of the airfield allows for a safe finish. If there
is a substantial tail wind the circle can be intersected on the downwind leg
resulting in a safe interwind landing.
A penalty for crossing below the specified minimum height should not be such as
to destroy a pilots flight or competition score. One point per foot too low
with a 50 ft allowance for instrument error would be more than enough. Any
penalty should take into account any pressure changes during the competition.
Destroyed gliders result in higher insurance premiums for all and I doubt if we
can put a price on a severely or fatally injured pilot. Those of us who get a
testosterone rush from fast, low finishes should forgo them in the interest of
overall safety or perhaps fly Grand Prix type contests.
Harry Medlicott
From: Paul Mander
Sent: Thursday, October 30, 2014 1:53 PM
To: 'Discussion of issues relating to Soaring in Australia.'
Subject: Re: [Aus-soaring] Bizarre Comp Rules - in the shit
I think you’ve been a bit quick to judge.
You state that whilst “Jim chose to fly on”, two other pilots made quite
routine outlandings 7km back on the track, implying a greater wisdom on their
part.
Those outlandings were not routine, if you study the traces. They were straight
in landings just as was Jim’s. One of them makes a desperate last circle close
to the ground then straightens up and lands.
There is a striking similarity in all three traces, which paint a cautionary
picture. All three picked up climbs just before their last turn, and then
appear to consider themselves on final glide. Then they turn into a 20kt
headwind from the SW, lose their final glide and start to search for lift. All
three try to thermal again without success.
All three glide on and the ground rises up to smite them; the other two are
simply 7km further out when it does.
There are undoubtedly lessons to be learnt from their experience, not the least
being how quickly thermals die in Queensland and how quickly the trap can snap.
But it’s not instructive, or fair, to make out that one was foolish where
others were wise.
From: aus-soaring-boun...@lists.internode.on.net
[mailto:aus-soaring-boun...@lists.internode.on.net] On Behalf Of Gary Stevenson
Sent: Tuesday, 28 October 2014 10:45 PM
To: 'Discussion of issues relating to Soaring in Australia.'
Subject: Re: [Aus-soaring] Bizarre Comp Rules - in the shit
Michael Texler in his post of the evening of 28 Oct, finally “Got It”.
Tim has now amplified matters, so that to mis-quote one famous author, “even a
schoolboy can understand”. Just a preamble: the point I really want to make is
that on that last day when Jim choose to fly on, 2 pilots in Sports Class
elected to make quite routine outlandings (into the same paddock apparently),
just 7 km from home. As usual their traces are available on Soaring Spot. Names
do not need to be mentioned – just look at Sports Class, and then check the
outlandings and distances covered to pinpoint the two relevant traces.
Tim , you are being a little bit shy in your use of the Oz vernacular. The
“Municipal Dunny Man” filled a very valuable and quite unique place in
servicing one the essential needs of communities prior to the development of
reticulated sewerage systems. So to get the language straight, let me put “shed
loads” back into its true blue and dinky di context: “shit-cart full loads”.
Further ;
For Australian Musical Researchers try Googling “Municipal Dunny Can”. .....
And of course do not overlook that Australian work of great literary worth
titled “The Specialist”. For visual art buffs this work was no doubt part
inspiration for the 2006 Oz movie “Kenny”.
Cheers,
Gary
From: aus-soaring-boun...@lists.internode.on.net
[mailto:aus-soaring-boun...@lists.internode.on.net] On Behalf Of Tim Shirley
Sent: Tuesday, 28 October 2014 8:39 PM
To: Discussion of issues relating to Soaring in Australia.
Subject: Re: [Aus-soaring] Bizarre Comp Rules...
Hi all,
Once again a disclaimer: I hold no relevant official position with the GFA. I
do have considerable experience as a rulemaker, as a Contest Director, as a
Scorer, and as a competition pilot. I speak only for myself.
What follows is general clarification about competitions and rules, and is not
intended as a comment on any specific incident.
Back when I was involved in competition rulemaking, I remember we introduced
some principles as a preamble to the rules and on checking I found that most of
them are still there:
At all times it remains the responsibility of pilots to operate in accordance
with the GFA Manual of Standard
Procedures and all applicable laws and regulations.
Pilots are expected to conduct themselves at all times in the spirit of these
rules and in accordance with the practice of good sportsmanship.
Safety is at all times the primary consideration. If at any time a pilot feels
that the requirements of these rules compromises the safety of their flight
then they should take whatever actions are required to ensure the safety of
themselves and of other air users. This may include withdrawing from the task
or from the competition.
Pilots are required to conduct themselves in a manner that will not bring
disrepute on the Organisers, the hosting club or the GFA.
There is nothing in the competition rules that suspends any laws. There are no
exemptions. Pilots flying in a competition are just pilots, and must obey
every requirement of the law. They remain fully responsible as Pilots in
Command for the conduct of the flight. If they choose to disobey the law or
good practice then that is entirely their responsibility. The competition is a
game. Flying is not.
No one wants to break their glider or themselves, and the rules of the game
clearly discourage that by the simple fact that most of the time there is
another race tomorrow. You won't get any points from a hospital bed or if your
glider is in bits. On the last day, well if there was a million dollars at
stake I could imagine that the risk of rolling yourself into a ball might be
worth taking for some - but in our game why would anyone break a $100K glider
for a bottle of cheap wine and a round of applause? Or even for the
opportunity to spend shed loads of their own money representing Australia?
If you want to know who is responsible for the safety of a flight where you are
the Pilot in Command, take a good look in a mirror. And be very sure of what
you see.
Cheers
Tim Shirley
tra dire é fare c' é mezzo il mare
On 28/10/2014 2:06 PM, Texler, Michael wrote:
The caveat should be in place that the crash was a result of your own poor
decision making. Now what constitutes poor decision making is a matter of
opinion. Surely competition rules should be in place to discourage
crashing:i.e. you crash, you are out of the comp. You pack up and go home.
I'll leave it to others more experienced in these matters to give reasons why.
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