Fellow soaring pilots,

Thanks to all for responding to my original post, I'm very sorry to
hear of the AFA Soaring teams vehicle accident in route to R-11, but
we are all very relieved to hear no one was injured. It certainly
reminds us all of the very real dangers we face just hauling our ships
around the country, so let’s all be super vigilant in our travels.

I believe this series of RAS dialog in response to my original posting
was a healthy and educational one. I personally don’t believe the AFA
Commanders stated “Leadership Training Program” would need or should
be in conflict with the daily rigors of contest flying. Actually quite
the opposite, all the healthy and admirable qualities found in strong
leaders can be experienced, tested and instilled during the sometimes
marathon like contest process.

I have attended four regional contests where the AFA Cadets were
scheduled to be in attendance, I belong to a soaring club In Colorado
that has a fairly close relationship with the AFA and its Cadets but
unfortunately not its XC Soaring Program. So I have some personal
experience with observing the Cadets contest program over the recent
years, more than the average pilot but I wouldn’t call it an insider’s
view.

It is my respectful hope that:
(1) The AFA Cadets will continue to enjoy racing in the Region 9
contests and benefit from this unique experience for many years to
come.
(2) The AFA XC Soaring programs commander will perhaps consider the
structured and yet creative process of attending and operating within
the parameters of a civilian soaring contest can and should mesh quite
well with a Leadership Training Program.

Respectfully submitted,
Rick Culbertson
Colorado, USA