View Full Version : Open & !8M Albert Lea USA # 711 reporting
Wednesday, June 6th. Winds, rain and cells moving thur in the am
hours. 50 kts at 2000 agl, and high wind warnings this afternoon gave
the CD enough information to call it a day at the pilots meeting.
Thursday is the last day, and we have 3 contests "in", so need
something for tomorrow.
Some are packing up now. Others are sticking around. All the Open
Class so far are still here, some of the 18 M crowd has left.
Yesterday, Wednesday, the 3rd day had several low finishers. Seems
like the guy taking pictures really attracted some of the flock,
resulting in some great photos, but at a cost of some points. We are
now using a finish line since the regionals are over, with a 50 agl
passing height.
Thermal tight, Soar high, Fly safe. # 711 reporting.
On Jun 6, 12:25 pm, wrote:
> Wednesday, June 6th. Winds, rain and cells moving thur in the am
> hours. 50 kts at 2000 agl, and high wind warnings this afternoon gave
> the CD enough information to call it a day at the pilots meeting.
> Thursday is the last day, and we have 3 contests "in", so need
> something for tomorrow.
> Some are packing up now. Others are sticking around. All the Open
> Class so far are still here, some of the 18 M crowd has left.
> Yesterday, Wednesday, the 3rd day had several low finishers. Seems
> like the guy taking pictures really attracted some of the flock,
> resulting in some great photos, but at a cost of some points. We are
> now using a finish line since the regionals are over, with a 50 agl
> passing height.
>
> Thermal tight, Soar high, Fly safe. # 711 reporting.
thanks tom. im crossing my fingers for you tomorrow. blipmaps looked
ok last night but there was a lot of variablility. probably going to
depend on how fast this cold front blows through. what was the
soaring conditions like yesterday? I was sitting at my desk all day
drooling over the satellite picture, METAR reports and soundings.
some folks flew in Ames, IA down I35 from you and reported weak lift
to about 6000 MSL.
On Jun 6, 2:35 pm, wrote:
> what was the
> soaring conditions like yesterday? I was sitting at my desk all day
> drooling over the satellite picture, METAR reports and soundings.
> some folks flew in Ames, IA down I35 from you and reported weak lift
> to about 6000 MSL.
Fantastic. Really, a wonderful midwestern soaring day. Light NW winds
and a good cu field starting at 6000' MSL and rising to 7000' as the
day went on. The call was a 280 mile turn area task with 4.5 hours.
The clouds lined up nicely on the first upwind leg, with long, long
glides in abundant but not very strong lift. On the second long
dowwind leg, thermal strength increased; it was reasonable to stop for
no less than 5 knots, and I found one 7 knot thermal (after getting a
little low looking for those 5 knotters). The third leg back upwind
got a little softer, typical for late in the day; there were still
strong thermals but they were further in between. The day started
dying right around the 4.5 hour mark, so some had to do a little
scratching on the way home, as you might expect for 6 pm. All around a
great time. Task call was perfect.
The Saunders - DJ team spanked the rest of the field by 6 mph,
finishing 1-2 has they have for most of this contest and many days at
Hobbs last year. When the traces come out, there will be much
scrutinizing to see how they did it. It's hard to beat a field this
strong by such a wide margin on an easy day with a long task.
The only downside was quite a few scary landings, the result of a
finish line, many pilots finishing the timed task at the same time,
limited space on the airport, sink on final glide putting many in a
low energy situation, and downwind rolling finishes conflicting with
regular landings. Lots of held breath, but thankfully no damage.
John Cochrane BB
On Jun 7, 10:27 am, BB > wrote:
> On Jun 6, 2:35 pm, wrote:
>
> > what was the
> > soaring conditions like yesterday? I was sitting at my desk all day
> > drooling over the satellite picture, METAR reports and soundings.
> > some folks flew in Ames, IA down I35 from you and reported weak lift
> > to about 6000 MSL.
>
> Fantastic. Really, a wonderful midwestern soaring day. Light NW winds
> and a good cu field starting at 6000' MSL and rising to 7000' as the
> day went on. The call was a 280 mile turn area task with 4.5 hours.
> The clouds lined up nicely on the first upwind leg, with long, long
> glides in abundant but not very strong lift. On the second long
> dowwind leg, thermal strength increased; it was reasonable to stop for
> no less than 5 knots, and I found one 7 knot thermal (after getting a
> little low looking for those 5 knotters). The third leg back upwind
> got a little softer, typical for late in the day; there were still
> strong thermals but they were further in between. The day started
> dying right around the 4.5 hour mark, so some had to do a little
> scratching on the way home, as you might expect for 6 pm. All around a
> great time. Task call was perfect.
>
> The Saunders - DJ team spanked the rest of the field by 6 mph,
> finishing 1-2 has they have for most of this contest and many days at
> Hobbs last year. When the traces come out, there will be much
> scrutinizing to see how they did it. It's hard to beat a field this
> strong by such a wide margin on an easy day with a long task.
>
> The only downside was quite a few scary landings, the result of a
> finish line, many pilots finishing the timed task at the same time,
> limited space on the airport, sink on final glide putting many in a
> low energy situation, and downwind rolling finishes conflicting with
> regular landings. Lots of held breath, but thankfully no damage.
>
> John Cochrane BB
Hi John - How's today looking ?
See ya, Dave "YO" (the open class guy who bugged out last week
on account of work issues plus lousy weather)...
On Jun 7, 9:36 am, wrote:
> On Jun 7, 10:27 am, BB > wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> > On Jun 6, 2:35 pm, wrote:
>
> > > what was the
> > > soaring conditions like yesterday? I was sitting at my desk all day
> > > drooling over the satellite picture, METAR reports and soundings.
> > > some folks flew in Ames, IA down I35 from you and reported weak lift
> > > to about 6000 MSL.
>
> > Fantastic. Really, a wonderful midwestern soaring day. Light NW winds
> > and a good cu field starting at 6000' MSL and rising to 7000' as the
> > day went on. The call was a 280 mile turn area task with 4.5 hours.
> > The clouds lined up nicely on the first upwind leg, with long, long
> > glides in abundant but not very strong lift. On the second long
> > dowwind leg, thermal strength increased; it was reasonable to stop for
> > no less than 5 knots, and I found one 7 knot thermal (after getting a
> > little low looking for those 5 knotters). The third leg back upwind
> > got a little softer, typical for late in the day; there were still
> > strong thermals but they were further in between. The day started
> > dying right around the 4.5 hour mark, so some had to do a little
> > scratching on the way home, as you might expect for 6 pm. All around a
> > great time. Task call was perfect.
>
> > The Saunders - DJ team spanked the rest of the field by 6 mph,
> > finishing 1-2 has they have for most of this contest and many days at
> > Hobbs last year. When the traces come out, there will be much
> > scrutinizing to see how they did it. It's hard to beat a field this
> > strong by such a wide margin on an easy day with a long task.
>
> > The only downside was quite a few scary landings, the result of a
> > finish line, many pilots finishing the timed task at the same time,
> > limited space on the airport, sink on final glide putting many in a
> > low energy situation, and downwind rolling finishes conflicting with
> > regular landings. Lots of held breath, but thankfully no damage.
>
> > John Cochrane BB
>
> Hi John - How's today looking ?
> See ya, Dave "YO" (the open class guy who bugged out last week
> on account of work issues plus lousy weather)...- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -
Ah I was wondering why your results were listed as "No Flight Log"
Dave!!
John - thanks for the report. thats more what I was thinking the day
would turn in to. the club guys in Ames had a couple 1 hour plus
flights but they had no clouds to help them out. hope you get some
flying in today!!
On Jun 7, 9:23 am, wrote:
> On Jun 7, 9:36 am, wrote:
>
>
>
> > On Jun 7, 10:27 am, BB > wrote:
>
> > > On Jun 6, 2:35 pm, wrote:
>
> > > > what was the
> > > > soaring conditions like yesterday? I was sitting at my desk all day
> > > > drooling over the satellite picture, METAR reports and soundings.
> > > > some folks flew in Ames, IA down I35 from you and reported weak lift
> > > > to about 6000 MSL.
>
> > > Fantastic. Really, a wonderful midwestern soaring day. Light NW winds
> > > and a good cu field starting at 6000' MSL and rising to 7000' as the
> > > day went on. The call was a 280 mile turn area task with 4.5 hours.
> > > The clouds lined up nicely on the first upwind leg, with long, long
> > > glides in abundant but not very strong lift. On the second long
> > > dowwind leg, thermal strength increased; it was reasonable to stop for
> > > no less than 5 knots, and I found one 7 knot thermal (after getting a
> > > little low looking for those 5 knotters). The third leg back upwind
> > > got a little softer, typical for late in the day; there were still
> > > strong thermals but they were further in between. The day started
> > > dying right around the 4.5 hour mark, so some had to do a little
> > > scratching on the way home, as you might expect for 6 pm. All around a
> > > great time. Task call was perfect.
>
> > > The Saunders - DJ team spanked the rest of the field by 6 mph,
> > > finishing 1-2 has they have for most of this contest and many days at
> > > Hobbs last year. When the traces come out, there will be much
> > > scrutinizing to see how they did it. It's hard to beat a field this
> > > strong by such a wide margin on an easy day with a long task.
>
> > > The only downside was quite a few scary landings, the result of a
> > > finish line, many pilots finishing the timed task at the same time,
> > > limited space on the airport, sink on final glide putting many in a
> > > low energy situation, and downwind rolling finishes conflicting with
> > > regular landings. Lots of held breath, but thankfully no damage.
>
> > > John Cochrane BB
>
> > Hi John - How's today looking ?
> > See ya, Dave "YO" (the open class guy who bugged out last week
> > on account of work issues plus lousy weather)...- Hide quoted text -
>
> > - Show quoted text -
>
> Ah I was wondering why your results were listed as "No Flight Log"
> Dave!!
>
> John - thanks for the report. thats more what I was thinking the day
> would turn in to. the club guys in Ames had a couple 1 hour plus
> flights but they had no clouds to help them out. hope you get some
> flying in today!!
We're currently waiting to meet again at 1300. It's bright and sunny,
but wind's howling from the SW. Chances are slim, but if the wind
calms down for safe rigging and launching we *may* fly.
-Tom
On Jun 7, 11:55 am, 5Z > wrote:
> On Jun 7, 9:23 am, wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> > On Jun 7, 9:36 am, wrote:
>
> > > On Jun 7, 10:27 am, BB > wrote:
>
> > > > On Jun 6, 2:35 pm, wrote:
>
> > > > > what was the
> > > > > soaring conditions like yesterday? I was sitting at my desk all day
> > > > > drooling over the satellite picture, METAR reports and soundings.
> > > > > some folks flew in Ames, IA down I35 from you and reported weak lift
> > > > > to about 6000 MSL.
>
> > > > Fantastic. Really, a wonderful midwestern soaring day. Light NW winds
> > > > and a good cu field starting at 6000' MSL and rising to 7000' as the
> > > > day went on. The call was a 280 mile turn area task with 4.5 hours.
> > > > The clouds lined up nicely on the first upwind leg, with long, long
> > > > glides in abundant but not very strong lift. On the second long
> > > > dowwind leg, thermal strength increased; it was reasonable to stop for
> > > > no less than 5 knots, and I found one 7 knot thermal (after getting a
> > > > little low looking for those 5 knotters). The third leg back upwind
> > > > got a little softer, typical for late in the day; there were still
> > > > strong thermals but they were further in between. The day started
> > > > dying right around the 4.5 hour mark, so some had to do a little
> > > > scratching on the way home, as you might expect for 6 pm. All around a
> > > > great time. Task call was perfect.
>
> > > > The Saunders - DJ team spanked the rest of the field by 6 mph,
> > > > finishing 1-2 has they have for most of this contest and many days at
> > > > Hobbs last year. When the traces come out, there will be much
> > > > scrutinizing to see how they did it. It's hard to beat a field this
> > > > strong by such a wide margin on an easy day with a long task.
>
> > > > The only downside was quite a few scary landings, the result of a
> > > > finish line, many pilots finishing the timed task at the same time,
> > > > limited space on the airport, sink on final glide putting many in a
> > > > low energy situation, and downwind rolling finishes conflicting with
> > > > regular landings. Lots of held breath, but thankfully no damage.
>
> > > > John Cochrane BB
>
> > > Hi John - How's today looking ?
> > > See ya, Dave "YO" (the open class guy who bugged out last week
> > > on account of work issues plus lousy weather)...- Hide quoted text -
>
> > > - Show quoted text -
>
> > Ah I was wondering why your results were listed as "No Flight Log"
> > Dave!!
>
> > John - thanks for the report. thats more what I was thinking the day
> > would turn in to. the club guys in Ames had a couple 1 hour plus
> > flights but they had no clouds to help them out. hope you get some
> > flying in today!!
>
> We're currently waiting to meet again at 1300. It's bright and sunny,
> but wind's howling from the SW. Chances are slim, but if the wind
> calms down for safe rigging and launching we *may* fly.
>
> -Tom- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -
albert lea is currently reporting out of the southwest in low 20s
gusting to high 20's. i hope you get to fly but it doesnt sound
promising...:(
On Jun 7, 12:55 pm, 5Z > wrote:
> On Jun 7, 9:23 am, wrote:
>
>
>
> > On Jun 7, 9:36 am, wrote:
>
> > > On Jun 7, 10:27 am, BB > wrote:
>
> > > > On Jun 6, 2:35 pm, wrote:
>
> > > > > what was the
> > > > > soaring conditions like yesterday? I was sitting at my desk all day
> > > > > drooling over the satellite picture, METAR reports and soundings.
> > > > > some folks flew in Ames, IA down I35 from you and reported weak lift
> > > > > to about 6000 MSL.
>
> > > > Fantastic. Really, a wonderful midwestern soaring day. Light NW winds
> > > > and a good cu field starting at 6000' MSL and rising to 7000' as the
> > > > day went on. The call was a 280 mile turn area task with 4.5 hours.
> > > > The clouds lined up nicely on the first upwind leg, with long, long
> > > > glides in abundant but not very strong lift. On the second long
> > > > dowwind leg, thermal strength increased; it was reasonable to stop for
> > > > no less than 5 knots, and I found one 7 knot thermal (after getting a
> > > > little low looking for those 5 knotters). The third leg back upwind
> > > > got a little softer, typical for late in the day; there were still
> > > > strong thermals but they were further in between. The day started
> > > > dying right around the 4.5 hour mark, so some had to do a little
> > > > scratching on the way home, as you might expect for 6 pm. All around a
> > > > great time. Task call was perfect.
>
> > > > The Saunders - DJ team spanked the rest of the field by 6 mph,
> > > > finishing 1-2 has they have for most of this contest and many days at
> > > > Hobbs last year. When the traces come out, there will be much
> > > > scrutinizing to see how they did it. It's hard to beat a field this
> > > > strong by such a wide margin on an easy day with a long task.
>
> > > > The only downside was quite a few scary landings, the result of a
> > > > finish line, many pilots finishing the timed task at the same time,
> > > > limited space on the airport, sink on final glide putting many in a
> > > > low energy situation, and downwind rolling finishes conflicting with
> > > > regular landings. Lots of held breath, but thankfully no damage.
>
> > > > John Cochrane BB
>
> > > Hi John - How's today looking ?
> > > See ya, Dave "YO" (the open class guy who bugged out last week
> > > on account of work issues plus lousy weather)...- Hide quoted text -
>
> > > - Show quoted text -
>
> > Ah I was wondering why your results were listed as "No Flight Log"
> > Dave!!
>
> > John - thanks for the report. thats more what I was thinking the day
> > would turn in to. the club guys in Ames had a couple 1 hour plus
> > flights but they had no clouds to help them out. hope you get some
> > flying in today!!
>
> We're currently waiting to meet again at 1300. It's bright and sunny,
> but wind's howling from the SW. Chances are slim, but if the wind
> calms down for safe rigging and launching we *may* fly.
>
> -Tom
And, the closest tornado watch is now more than 100 miles to the
Northeast !
On Jun 7, 3:02 pm, wrote:
> On Jun 7, 12:55 pm, 5Z > wrote:
>
>
>
> > On Jun 7, 9:23 am, wrote:
>
> > > On Jun 7, 9:36 am, wrote:
>
> > > > On Jun 7, 10:27 am, BB > wrote:
>
> > > > > On Jun 6, 2:35 pm, wrote:
>
> > > > > > what was the
> > > > > > soaring conditions like yesterday? I was sitting at my desk all day
> > > > > > drooling over the satellite picture, METAR reports and soundings.
> > > > > > some folks flew in Ames, IA down I35 from you and reported weak lift
> > > > > > to about 6000 MSL.
>
> > > > > Fantastic. Really, a wonderful midwestern soaring day. Light NW winds
> > > > > and a good cu field starting at 6000' MSL and rising to 7000' as the
> > > > > day went on. The call was a 280 mile turn area task with 4.5 hours.
> > > > > The clouds lined up nicely on the first upwind leg, with long, long
> > > > > glides in abundant but not very strong lift. On the second long
> > > > > dowwind leg, thermal strength increased; it was reasonable to stop for
> > > > > no less than 5 knots, and I found one 7 knot thermal (after getting a
> > > > > little low looking for those 5 knotters). The third leg back upwind
> > > > > got a little softer, typical for late in the day; there were still
> > > > > strong thermals but they were further in between. The day started
> > > > > dying right around the 4.5 hour mark, so some had to do a little
> > > > > scratching on the way home, as you might expect for 6 pm. All around a
> > > > > great time. Task call was perfect.
>
> > > > > The Saunders - DJ team spanked the rest of the field by 6 mph,
> > > > > finishing 1-2 has they have for most of this contest and many days at
> > > > > Hobbs last year. When the traces come out, there will be much
> > > > > scrutinizing to see how they did it. It's hard to beat a field this
> > > > > strong by such a wide margin on an easy day with a long task.
>
> > > > > The only downside was quite a few scary landings, the result of a
> > > > > finish line, many pilots finishing the timed task at the same time,
> > > > > limited space on the airport, sink on final glide putting many in a
> > > > > low energy situation, and downwind rolling finishes conflicting with
> > > > > regular landings. Lots of held breath, but thankfully no damage.
>
> > > > > John Cochrane BB
>
> > > > Hi John - How's today looking ?
> > > > See ya, Dave "YO" (the open class guy who bugged out last week
> > > > on account of work issues plus lousy weather)...- Hide quoted text -
>
> > > > - Show quoted text -
>
> > > Ah I was wondering why your results were listed as "No Flight Log"
> > > Dave!!
>
> > > John - thanks for the report. thats more what I was thinking the day
> > > would turn in to. the club guys in Ames had a couple 1 hour plus
> > > flights but they had no clouds to help them out. hope you get some
> > > flying in today!!
>
> > We're currently waiting to meet again at 1300. It's bright and sunny,
> > but wind's howling from the SW. Chances are slim, but if the wind
> > calms down for safe rigging and launching we *may* fly.
>
> > -Tom
>
> And, the closest tornado watch is now more than 100 miles to the
> Northeast !
yea no problem dave, right!? we had a couple tornado watches south of
here (Cedar Rapids) but only had a little rain on the north side of
town. winds aloft are kicking. storms moving at 60 mph or so. great
downwind day if you could find some lift...
kirk.stant
June 8th 07, 04:15 PM
> The only downside was quite a few scary landings, the result of a
> finish line, many pilots finishing the timed task at the same time,
> limited space on the airport, sink on final glide putting many in a
> low energy situation, and downwind rolling finishes conflicting with
> regular landings. Lots of held breath, but thankfully no damage.
>
> John Cochrane BB
John, I'm curious: In what way do you think the line finish (as
opposed to a 500' @ one mile, for example) contributed to the scary
landings?
>From your description, the problem seems to be more a lack of airport
runway (or landable ramp) space.
Perhaps this needs to be a bigger consideration for a contest site -
it should be able to land multiple gliders simultaneously and safely,
regardless of finish used.
Multiple runways, big unused ramps (old military fields are great!),
wide grass runways/ramps, etc. sure are nice when everybody gets back
at the same time.
Parowan, for example, could be sporty if a bunch of gliders tried to
land at the same time (from personal experience back in 2001 before
the new taxiway was built - perhaps its better now).
You going to be at Ionia?
Kirk
66
> John, I'm curious: In what way do you think the line finish (as
> opposed to a 500' @ one mile, for example) contributed to the scary
> landings?
You need to ask why it's harder to sequence a lot of gliders arriving
midfield at 50 feet, than it is to sequence a lot of gliders arriving
1 mile away at 500 feet? This is not rocket science.
Let's not start the finish wars again. Or we could just do it by
numbers, like the old joke about prisoners.
John Cochrane
kirk.stant
June 8th 07, 06:50 PM
> You need to ask why it's harder to sequence a lot of gliders arriving
> midfield at 50 feet, than it is to sequence a lot of gliders arriving
> 1 mile away at 500 feet? This is not rocket science.
> John Cochrane
My point was, the airfield arrangement is probably a much more
critical factor in landing safety than the finish type. As you put it
- it's not rocket science.
It's airmanship, actually.
Cheers,
Kirk
>
> My point was, the airfield arrangement is probably a much more
> critical factor in landing safety than the finish type. As you put it
> - it's not rocket science.
>
> It's airmanship, actually.
Yes. I'm not rabidly for or against any finish type. If you have a
huge field, lots of surrounding places to land, no power traffic, an
assigned task, and not too many gliders, go ahead and have fun with a
line. With a restricted airport, bad surrounding terrain, many gliders
arriving from different directions, and non-contest traffic, a high
finish minimum and a circle are probably good ideas.
Part -- most? -- of airmanship though is knowing there are limits and
avoiding the situation all together. Having to do too many things at
the same time, too low and too slow eventually overcomes the abilities
of the best pilot among us. The guy who thinks "I've got great
airmanship, I can finish with 4 gliders at 50 feet and 70 knots and
all land on one runway with downwind rollers" may find himself in a
spot of trouble eventually
John Cochrane BB
kirk.stant
June 8th 07, 09:11 PM
On Jun 8, 1:34 pm, BB > wrote:
> > My point was, the airfield arrangement is probably a much more
> > critical factor in landing safety than the finish type. As you put it
> > - it's not rocket science.
>
> > It's airmanship, actually.
>
> Yes. I'm not rabidly for or against any finish type. If you have a
> huge field, lots of surrounding places to land, no power traffic, an
> assigned task, and not too many gliders, go ahead and have fun with a
> line. With a restricted airport, bad surrounding terrain, many gliders
> arriving from different directions, and non-contest traffic, a high
> finish minimum and a circle are probably good ideas.
>
> Part -- most? -- of airmanship though is knowing there are limits and
> avoiding the situation all together. Having to do too many things at
> the same time, too low and too slow eventually overcomes the abilities
> of the best pilot among us. The guy who thinks "I've got great
> airmanship, I can finish with 4 gliders at 50 feet and 70 knots and
> all land on one runway with downwind rollers" may find himself in a
> spot of trouble eventually
>
> John Cochrane BB
I totally agree - it's the fact that the impact of a poor choice of
contest location isn't discussed very much in the context of contest
safety that surprises me a little (NOTE: I'm absolutely NOT inferring
that Albert Lea is a dangerous place to have a contest!).
Having never flown at Albert Lea, I'm not familiar with the airport
layout, so can't really comment on the appropriateness of a line vs
circle finish at that specific location.
I have flown (and raced) at other fields that can be easily
overwhelmed regardless of the finish used - when you are all on final
at the same time, how you got there is a bit immaterial - if you are
all at 500 ft at one mile at the same time, it's still going to be
sporty on final!
I guess we just need bigger glider fields!
Kirk
Bob
June 11th 07, 07:21 PM
Why not locate the 'Line' (if that is what people want) well away from
the runway.... about a mile should seperate these two distinct
functions( finishing and landing).
Bob
On Jun 8, 2:34 pm, BB > wrote:
> > My point was, the airfield arrangement is probably a much more
> > critical factor in landing safety than the finish type. As you put it
> > - it's not rocket science.
>
> > It's airmanship, actually.
>
> Yes. I'm not rabidly for or against any finish type. If you have a
> huge field, lots of surrounding places to land, no power traffic, an
> assigned task, and not too many gliders, go ahead and have fun with a
> line. With a restricted airport, bad surrounding terrain, many gliders
> arriving from different directions, and non-contest traffic, a high
> finish minimum and a circle are probably good ideas.
>
> Part -- most? -- of airmanship though is knowing there are limits and
> avoiding the situation all together. Having to do too many things at
> the same time, too low and too slow eventually overcomes the abilities
> of the best pilot among us. The guy who thinks "I've got great
> airmanship, I can finish with 4 gliders at 50 feet and 70 knots and
> all land on one runway with downwind rollers" may find himself in a
> spot of trouble eventually
>
> John Cochrane BB
> Why not locate the 'Line' (if that is what people want) well away from
> the runway.... about a mile should seperate these two distinct
> functions( finishing and landing).
>
> Bob
The finish circle does exactly what you suggest -- finish (at 500
feet) about a mile away from where everyone is landing.
A 50 foot line one mile away from landings might not work so well. You
want people to finish at 50 feet and 70 knots over the freeway or over
the housing development?
John Cochrane
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