I hope our friends across the pond read the *ahem* dialog the US had here on
RAS the last two springs about competition finishes vs. finish cylinders and
other suggestions.

Interesting point about the 500' rule. I don't think that came up over
here.

"Chris Reed" wrote in message
news:eqfvo4$3g9$1@qmul...
W.J. (Bill) Dean (U.K.). wrote:
The U.K. Air Accidents Investigation Branch accident report on the fatal
crash involving a photographer on 9th August 2005 at Husbands Bosworth
has
now been published.

It may be found at
http://www.aaib.gov.uk/cms_resources...65%2002-07.pdf
.

W.J. (Bill) Dean (U.K.).
Remove "ic" to reply.



My first thought is that competition finishes, as we know them in the UK,
will probably have to be altered quite radically. A quote from the report:

"[pilots] may have thought that because ultimately they were landing, they
were absolved from the obligation to observe Rule 5 whilst they were
racing towards the finishing line. However, gliders do not normally
approach a glider site at high speed and very low height requiring pop-up
manoeuvres to avoid obstacles outside the airfield boundary. Usually, they
land from an approach involving a gradual descent at moderate airspeed,
crossing the airfield boundary at a height that does not normally present
a risk to spectators or passers-by. Therefore, it is clear that the
finishing technique used in this race by many of the competitors did not
constitute 'landing in accordance with normal
aviation practice' (see Rule 5 para (3)(a)(ii )) which automatically
exempts pilots from having to observe the '500 feet rule' stipulated in
para (2)(b))."

The alternative, if such finishes are to be retained, is for an exemption
from the UK CAA for each competition, and it seems clear from the report
that this would require competition organisers to ensure that spectators
could not enter the potential at risk zone, which would be practically
impossible at many airfields I know.

I'm not a competition pilot, and haven't the nerve to fly a proper
competition finish, so wouldn't want to suggest how to change what we
currently do. I certainly don't have a view that such finishes are too
dangerous to be allowed to continue. However, reading the report is
sobering, and suggests to me that we won't be allowed continue as we have
been used to.