I think we should dispense with the complexity of the cone shaped base
for safety finishes at US contests.

I think that a safety finish should just be a cylinder finish always
with a fixed 2000 ft base (above start height). The CD should be free
to declare any distance to be the radius of the safety finish
cylinder. In this way the CD has freedom to set the distance based on
the dual considerations related to the size of the storm as well as
fairness considerations for a 2000 ft finish as compared to whatever
manner of finish is otherwise in use as well as the soaring conditions
for the day.

This makes a safety finish basically the same as a regular cylinder
finish. This will reduce the complexity of the rules, reduce the need
for endless discussion at pilots meeting and reduce cockpit analysis.
It is also easy to reprogram into existing computers.

The smidgeon of perceived fairness gain from using the cone just is
not worth it. If there is a storm brewing I would prefer that the
rules not motivate me to push close to the ground. In most cases
2000 ft will give me some reasonable options.

Steve Koerner (GW)
Mesa AZ