The gift idea really works - A little generosity goes a long way.

Previous custodian of my Std Cirrus started a convention that those who do not
have access to a suitable ship use 66 for their Silver distance. This is mainly
a club convenience thing as the prospect of a field retrieve with a Bergfalke or
L13 is unappealing. The Cirrus has a great trailer, and is easy to rig. Of
course with a 1:37 glide it is a little too easy, so we insist on an elective
landing at a field 64km away. In our weather a wet tissue could do that on some
days, but that's life.

After I was the first in the club to buy a logger, I extended the convention to
making the logger available to folk for badge flights. Its a LX20 so is very
self contained, and relatively simple to use.

I imported recording strips for the replogle barograph my LX20 replaced and made
it available to anyone who wanted. So far I am the last person to get any badge
using the Replogle. (I used it for silver height and duration)

Clearly, given the choice people prefer the tech way. On the other hand a second
hand logger is not so expensive if you find a couple of people to share the cost.

Bruce

Roy Clark, B6 wrote:
On Sep 30, 7:07 am, Ian wrote:
On 29 Sep, 15:33, Ian Cant
wrote:

I'd rather it was changed to Silver Distance being 2km * best L/D for
the glider (and similarly for Gold and Diamond: 12km and 20km * best L/
D. Silver distance in modern glass is absurdly easy.


If Silver Distance were THAT EASY, then all would have one by their
second
season and we wouldn't have needed the OLC.

I am very disappointed that we might see and end to cameras and
mechanical barographs. Sometimes it seems that those of us at the
budget end of the sport really aren't welcome any more.

Ian

A budget reflects a choice of priorities. To relish what you can
choose to have
now is one of the better choices.

FYI, I earned my Silver Distance in SGS 1-26A SN 089 and helped grow a
volunteer-supported professional asistance program from a barely 5-
fiqure annual
budget into a professionally full-time staffed organization with a
just under 7-digit
annual budget.

I was also in full-time professional practice myself while doing the
above.

My viewpoint is that our student pilots and those still having to be
at the low budget
end of the sport are the seeds of the future for soaring. I encourage
those who have
been able to choose any advanced budget level of participation to give
a hand up to
those where they themselves used to be.

This includes not simply sharing of advice and club facilities, but
fair pricing of
no longer needed equipment - even an occasional gift.