I may be claiming something for the Germans here that doesn't belong to them, if so, disregard my explanation: Ab-initio training in Germany (like elsewhere) is structured in three main parts, i.e. A, B and C. The "A" part historically was a solo flight of so many seconds (30 I believe) straight ahead, B incorporated an S turn and C some more. In my youth the "A" concluded with 3 plain solo flights and a very sore bottom, B required figure 8 turns, side slipping and touching down within about 150 ft of the landing T. The C asked for some more again, e.g. turns with 45 degree bank, pull up turns and the like. In the days before (glider pilot) licenses in Germany that was the end of the training with instructor and the new pilot went on to bigger and better things, i.e. silver and gold C. In Germany they always were and still are just that, Silver C, Gold C - no certificate (eventhough one is issued) no badge (eventhough one is issued) added to the name. Don't know if this explains anything but is the naming hisory as I know it. Rolf, VH-WQF
>From: "Jason Armistead" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >To: "Aus-Soaring" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >Subject: [aus-soaring] Gold C, Silver C terminology >Date: Thu, 18 Oct 2001 06:54:17 +1000 > >Just finished reading "Halfway to Heaven" by Fred Hoinville (thanks to Dad >for such a wonderful birthday present) > >On page 211 in the 1998 printing, in the chapter entitled "The Wanderer's >Sky", Fred describes being on an overcrowded French train and an encounter >with two French youths. He writes "They saw my Gold C and "Australia" >badges; they both wore Silver C's. My hand was seized and I was claimed as >a brother". > >This book was written in the early 1950s, so it seems that the "Silver C" >and "Gold C" terminology started way back when even the GFA was just a pup, >and has been perpetuated ever since. Perhaps it started somewhere overseas >and has become part of the gliding venacular, even though the FAI >specifically calls them Silver, Gold and Diamond badges. Was their at some >stage a Certificate awarded as well ? That might have explained an >abreviation from Silver Certificate to Silver C ? If the certificate >became a badge later on, perhaps we can blame the OFITTH for perpetuating >the "C" terminology ... > >PS: I can recommend Halfway to Heaven as an excellent read for any glider >pilot. > >Cheers > >Jason _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp -- * You are subscribed to the aus-soaring mailing list. * To Unsubscribe: send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] * with "unsubscribe aus-soaring" in the body of the message * or with "help" in the body of the message for more information.
