Just wanted to put in my 2 cents worth, but I think most already know my
opinion on this subject.
Historically we don't see pilots mess up from 10 feet at 120 kts - what we
DO see is pilots succumb to Darwinnian selection by arriving in the circuit
area at 100 feet and 50 kts with no plans.
In a modern fully ballasted glider the difference between doing 120 knots
for the last 20 km and sliding home gracefully exactly on a sensible McReady
glide is only going to be a couple of turns extra in the last climb, at the
most. And if winning comps is all about consistency... that is actually
arriving home for a beer as opposed to landing in the last paddock before
the finish line... then I will chose the extra height any day. Plus this
means I can usually squeeze in a filthy low finish, because that is just
plain old good fun!
Good on GFA and CASA for finding a way to make it legal.
BT
----- Original Message -----
From: "Alan WIlson" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "'Discussion of issues relating to Soaring in Australia.'"
<[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, February 06, 2007 11:08 PM
Subject: RE: [Aus-soaring] Darwinnian Selection and low competition finishes
Geez,
I have sat on the sidelines watching those that want high speed
finishes, noted the GFA training directive, and concluded that Darwinian
selection will solve the challenge.
Firstly McReady: the damage to competition speed is already done some 50
km/5,000 feet away. One should have been on McReady, rather than
finishing, under confident, at 200+KPH from 20 km.
In the 1970's I recall calculating on a slide rule that a Blanik kinetic
at 136 KNOTS, AMSL, no losses, equated to potential to 45 kts at 500
feet ~ or similar. [That is basic, 1/2 Mv^2 = mgh] Then that same
sprog [me] could do a circuit and find somewhere to land that 20 others
on the same final glide had not already filled!!! [Thanks Tracey T
Narromine 77?]
And I Directed competitions [in the l970's] that accepted finishes
provided the glider was on the airfield [and that had risks - those in
the clubhouse may not have seen them, or validated the finish [not to
mention that 50 kts hoping to clear the near fence kills v 5 knots at
the far fence]]. Then we had staff out in the 40C, now we have
GPS/loggers.
I appreciated refamil in JAN 2006 at Temora [tks Ron] where we ducked 20
gliders around the task, BUT the final objective was to be parked: off
the far upwind end of a safe runway where no-one else could possibly hit
us. Then and only then [in 40C] tow back to tie downs.
GFA won't need a low finish procedure, Charles Darwin will have solved
the problem.
GFA should reinstitute the mandate: either straight in approaches, or a
minimum of 500 ft AGL' 100 kts across the clubhouse/finish line/GPS
cylinder. From somewhere the professional sprog can land safely.
Alan Wilson
Australian World Masterschiefter [sp] pilot 1976
Australian Diamond 50, 1978
Canberra
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