On Tue, 4 May 2004 12:08:13 +0300, "iPilot"
wrote:


"Mike Borgelt" wrote in message
.. .


We had one of those with a Blanik in Australia a few years ago, two
fatal. Spin training, no parachutes being worn. Story is the spin
turned to spiral, overspeed, fuselage bent/twisted preventing control.
Glider shed major parts on way down before hitting ground.

Mike Borgelt

No parachutes? How's that possible. We have parachutes on sailplanes mandatory. As well as radios.
That didn't help in this case, though, but parachute would have helped if the pilot had jumped
earlier.

I think that the requirements to wear parachute and use radio are important in case of sailplanes.
Reasoning:
1. We fly most of our flights close to the flyability limits of the glider (close to stall speed and
sometimes close to Vne).
2. We fly pretty much close together and glider is very "invisible" in sky at some angles

I personally would feel very uncomfortable in glider without parachute.



I agree with you 100%. Unfortunately our national body for gliding
likes to make lots of rules and "supervise" everyone while ignoring
basic safety requirements.

Mike Borgelt