It is great to see conversation in full flow. One issue confounding understanding in the conversation might be the quite different definitions being placed on elements of gliding, with different contributors coming at things from differing points of view. It is possibly a difficult ask, but it might be worth trying to get some common ground on what we mean by particularly topical words.
Such as: ‘vintage' gliders The strict formal definition has been codified by Aust Gliding Museum and Vintage Gliders Australia to encompass the wood&string range of airframes. That definition is being tested by the early Phoenix brought into Australia. An earlier hope was that alloy and early production FRP airframes would end up with monikers of their own; and hopefully enthusiasts and advocates for each. ‘classic’ ‘heritage' ‘venerable’ ‘mature’ ‘prototypical’ are the kinds of words used in other fields of activity. The broader definition void is: what is ‘gliding’ - current generation sailplanes - pure, sustainer, motor gliders - the coming generation of electric, FES, etc. - launch by foot, winch, plane, self - hire&fly - individual operation vs structured club operation - traditional volunteer group based operation vs electronically enhanced pilot operation vs commercial operation If, as I interpret, we mean all these things, then common ground (and then a way forward) will be hard to find. Emilis _______________________________________________ Aus-soaring mailing list Aus-soaring@lists.base64.com.au http://lists.base64.com.au/listinfo/aus-soaring
