On Tuesday, 22 May 2018 06:21:30 UTC-6, wrote:
I do agree and that is why I read RAS - sometimes good ideas and things to ponder come up - and I am not against new rules to make flying safer and new gadgets to let me see other flying objects and they see me

I think pondering ideas is good - but many times what seems ok on paper, in practice does not get the result hoped for. Sorry I am not usually the cold water LOL

I also think start gate timing can be hazardous and gaggle flying increases risk and is boring. (we are after all in the US where independence is supposed to be rewarded) - it is a complicated issue to solve.

If you give start times - some pilots will get a huge advantage - they got a climb at the right time - their time was at the best time of day...... separate everyone by 2 minutes and at Sr's in FL takes 2 hours+ to get everyone on task. I think that is a problem and I am not so sure it stops glider from forming gaggles (although smaller).

One of the Soaring 101 things to do in a contest the books/mentors all say, is to use your eyes looking for other gliders circling and to see the best line to run. If you get a penalty for reaching a few circling gliders and then joining the thermal - or running a line only to find out you catch up for a few gliders..... doesn't that fundamentally change the nature of the sport?

I thought the whole TAT type task was made to try to create separation - (I am fairly new to Soaring) - and I think there are those pilots that believe TAT tasks changed the nature of the sport. (I like TAT's MAT's AT's by the way)

I guess all I am saying really is that I would love to read about a idea - then some day read about how it was tried at a local/small contest so there could be some science behind a rule change.

I am fine with rule changes as long as they get the intended result and not so many unintended problems.

My ideas -
1. Incentivize leaving early - why not a bonus for finishing first to return. or maybe the first 3 to return.
2. Don't devalue days. All devaluing does make week days have less incentive to start early, start alone or start at all.

I think I like positive feedback better than penalties

My .02

WH

IMO we should look at the hang glider and para glider folks and some concepts they have implemented to address some of these issues

- for starts, a entry cylinder versus a exit cylinder. First leg is 50 miles long, you can define the start ENTRY cylinder centered on the first TP with diameter of 45 miles. This allows folks to spread out along the radius of the cylinder and start when the ENTER the cylinder. May not work well with performance of gliders as the early launchers can really have a better shot at a better starting position.

- leading points. For folks that take the chance and go early and lead out you get rewarded. Many calculations and things to consider

a few more that can be found in this document, if you are so inclined, https://flafly63.files.wordpress.com...l-gap-v1-1.pdf

Ron Gleason