Brian Wade wrote:
I wonder what would be the insurance implications should there be a mid air collision at a height above 10,000 ft
This thread has generated the most lively discussion in a long time.
The element of risk management has been mentioned and someone asked if there had been any accidents relating to hypoxia. A fair degree of silence on it.
So let's put it into context. In my 35 years of gliding, two pilots I have personally known have died in mid-airs. Neither above 10000'. One pilot I have personally known died from pushonitis during a XC, when he stalled/spun while trying to dig himself out of a low hole.
So while the debate on the oxygen issue has been fun and very informative, there are risks that are much further to the front of the Pareto chart that are probably more worthy of our concerns.
I can recall a glider pilot from 30 years ago that restricted himself to 7000 because he knew he had problems going higher. Another pilot, a professional, recounted to me that he knew of another (professional) pilot who regularly cruised at 18000 without oxygen.
So in our quest for self preservation, most of us will adopt a strategy that we are comfortable with, but might seem a bit strange to the next person.
Leigh Bunting Colonel Light Gardens South Australia <Open Windows and let the bugs in>
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