Can a hand launched flight count towards the thermal duration requirements
or does the model have to be towed?
JE
--
Erickson Architects
John R. Erickson, AIA
Hi John,
I completed my LSF IV thermal task (1 hour) with a Monarch handlaunch. A recounting of the event appeared on RCSE in 1997 and the controversy soon began. Non-handlaunchers called it heresy, handlaunchers knew the challenge and were supportive. Some surmised that my arm constituted a towline, while others just said that it didn't count.
I was prepared to re-fly the task until I received an email from Bob Steele, then LSF president as well as a separate email from Cal Posthuma, then LSF treasurer. Bob and Cal both stated, "Flying the LSF IV thermal task with a handlaunch does not violate the spirit of the rule".
I don't know if this particular task had been completed before or after me with handlaunch but the flight was a pretty good challenge. I also tried to complete my Level V cross country task with a handlaunch, but had to fallback to my "second string" SBXC ;-)
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