Pat Russell
September 18th 03, 06:13 PM
This post is about rules intended to enhance safety. It is not
about tasking or scoring or the philosophy of selecting a
winner.
"Safety rules" can be divided into two categories:
1. Rules that enhance the safety of everyone (e.g. the
left-hand circling rule)
2. Rules that are targeted (primarily) toward new competitors.
Experienced pilots tend to appreciate the first kind of rule,
but not the second. You don't get to be an experienced pilot by
disregarding safety issues.
When a new rule of the second type is proposed, the response is
predictable. New competitors support the rule because it
removes their temptation to take new risks. Experienced pilots
oppose the rule because it adds complication without any
benefit.
When a survey is taken, the opinion of the new competitors wins,
simply because they are in the majority.
There is a strong temptation to adopt rules of the second type,
not only because of majority opinion, but also because it is
difficult to argue against safety.
As these rules get adopted, the experienced pilots (the
contenders in any competition) become less and less happy.
When the contenders are unhappy and begin to drop out, the
entire sport suffers.
The Rules Committee should be very, very careful about adopting
safety rules of the second type. Even if the majority opinion
supports them.
about tasking or scoring or the philosophy of selecting a
winner.
"Safety rules" can be divided into two categories:
1. Rules that enhance the safety of everyone (e.g. the
left-hand circling rule)
2. Rules that are targeted (primarily) toward new competitors.
Experienced pilots tend to appreciate the first kind of rule,
but not the second. You don't get to be an experienced pilot by
disregarding safety issues.
When a new rule of the second type is proposed, the response is
predictable. New competitors support the rule because it
removes their temptation to take new risks. Experienced pilots
oppose the rule because it adds complication without any
benefit.
When a survey is taken, the opinion of the new competitors wins,
simply because they are in the majority.
There is a strong temptation to adopt rules of the second type,
not only because of majority opinion, but also because it is
difficult to argue against safety.
As these rules get adopted, the experienced pilots (the
contenders in any competition) become less and less happy.
When the contenders are unhappy and begin to drop out, the
entire sport suffers.
The Rules Committee should be very, very careful about adopting
safety rules of the second type. Even if the majority opinion
supports them.