One more thought about Mid Air Collisions.

Next time you are belting along under a cloud street
at 90 - 100 Knots plus.

How far away will the other glider be, doing the same
thing in the opposite direction, when you see it, and
how long have you got to make the right decision with
a closing speed of 200 knots!!!!!!!

At 09:54 16 April 2004, Tom Rent wrote:
I'm sure almost every RAS reader has read every word
of Paul's account
because we all have been in the same situation numerous
times and could see
the same thing happen to us at any moment.

I have a lot of soaring books but it is interesting
that little is written
or formally taught about this aspect of soaring. Outside
of the basic rule
of gaggle flying in the same direction as others, I
think we need a stamdard
protocol for any proximity or formation flying which
we all rouinely do.
Outside of stall/spin in the pattern, mid-airs during
proximit/formation
flying (including gaggles) is likely the next most
dangerous situation we
activily place ourselves in.

1. What is the safest way to enter a gaggle, and what
are the most unsafe
ways?
2. If you lose sight of another glider that you are
gaggling with, should
you keep thermalling or head away? (assume no radio
available)
3. What is the safest way to exit a gaggle, and what
are the most unsafe
ways?
4. Pair flying - best practices and worst practices
....?


Let's express our best ideas here and perhaps this
too will save lives.

I do know that these recent events have caused members
of our local club to
immediately begin studying our local methods and habits,
which I think this
activity will result in some pretty healthy positive
changes.