With today's gliders, and especially out here in the west, you are
right that the existing badges are not much of a challenge for someone
with experience and a good glider.

But for a beginner, just spreading his wings, so to speak, they do
provide a set of goals to aim for.

In the US, it is really hard for a beginner to get badges unless he
has his own ship, which most do not, so we have a bit of a vicious
circle. By the time I had the time and equipment to get my badges, in
a sense it was a "fill in the squares" exercise. I kind of regret
that...

But the Grand Canyon sure looks nice from 17,999ft!

Hope you are having better soaring weather than us this weekend - too
hot out here!

Kirk

"Al" wrote in message ...
well apart from the insanely stupid Diamond altitude I think you will find
that flight and a bunch of other flights surpass all badge requirements
right there.

Al