Ok, Dick Barker provided the rule book reading...
"10.1.e Right-of-Way Rule. A sailplane attached to the launch equipment
and therefore in the process of being launched has the right of way
over sailplanes in flight. ......."
That saved me searching through my book to look it up. (Dick...I think the
GPS comments people sent you about quoting a rule means their just too lazy
themselves! Thanks for providing the body of the text).
I was present at the incident being discussed (walking by the 'landing'
area), and my thoughts were that the whole setup was just trouble looking
for an opportunity. I had been down at the 'launching' area (we were
operating off our own equipment further to the west), and it would be easy
to miss a glider on approach to that landing area. Lot of clutter in the
background from that perspective. That's why I decided to stay away.
However, I think the blame is equally shared by both pilots, in spite of
the rule. After all, this was the 'practice' session (i.e., free-for-all)
the day before. There's no excuse for putting someone else's equipment
even remotely at risk.
Which brings me to my question...does anyone know what the 'spirit' of the
rule is? I've often wondered if it was created to help avoid those
situations and conflicts where pilots just circle over the launch area
(because that's where they think the lift is). You see it happen all the
time, and it certainly slows the whole works down. If the 'plane in the
air' had the right of way, it would bring things to a dead stop. Thus, the
rule makes a good deal of sense.
Or, was it created simply to assign responsibility for 'looking out' for
the other? A plane on tow is more likely to NOT be in a position of
complete control than one passing through in flight. More control means
more opportunity to avoid the situation, thus more responsibility to do so.
Again, a good deal of sense.
I've always just accepted it at face value without much thought, though I
will *always* hold up my launch if I perceive a plane will be threatened. I
have seen 'speeding bullets' (guys hot-dogging for attention) running
through the launch area unannounced. It's almost impossible to predict
their arrival, and the two I saw get cut in half by the winch line deserved
it! (This was NOT at the classic!) I've also seen planes just stupidly
ambling through the launch area, and launching pilots just 'going for it'
w/out concern to teach them a lesson. (stupid on both parts, and yea, this
was at the classic!)
At an event such as the Classic, there is a *lot* of chaos in the air
during the practice sessions the days before. You should *always* use
heightened caution, regardless of what the rules state. I saw everything
from planes colliding, 'roof scrapers' as gliders scooted just a few feet
above tents and vehicles, the aforementioned launch calamity, and various
pilots being hit by incoming gliders. (Saw a glancing blow to a head lay
one guy out flat for a few seconds. Scary!) When you get a group together
like this in an unorganized fashion such as the practice sessions, you
should *expect* stupid behavior! That way you'll be less surprised by it,
and better able to deal with it. Who knows, it just may be YOUR behavior
which is perceived as stupid!
(This is NOT a comment regarding the incident at the Classic! Again, I
thought both pilots shared a responsibility for the event. What I found
more disappointing than the actual event was the actions of some of those
involved *after*. This is a responsible sport, and I would hope people
would live up to their responsibilities if they're going to be involved.)
By the way, the Classic was....a classic!!! It was my first time down, and
I loved it! You can learn a lot at something like this, even if you're
just watching. I'm hoping to write up some general comments for the
'average' flier that I'll post later. To the Classic...I'll be back!
RCSE-List facilities provided by Model Airplane News. Send "subscribe" and
"unsubscribe" requests to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
