On 4/29/2013 12:28 PM, Steve Leonard wrote:
On Monday, April 29, 2013 9:30:09 AM UTC-5, Waveguru wrote:
I would like to see how many points the motorglider guys would end
up scoring if their motor was rendered unavailable after launch.
Blah blah blah. It's definitely not a level playing field. Boggs

You are right, Gary. The playing field isn't level. And my flights
in mid-west thermals can't compete on a level playing field with Ely
thermals, Minden Wave Days, Parowan thermal days, or east coast ridge
days, either

It's true that having an easy retrieve, whether it's by an eager crew
person or a motor, will make a pilot bolder. But the performance of the
glider will also change how you fly. For example, would a pilot's flying
change if he was plucked from a Blanik and dropped into an ASG 29? Or
from Nimbus 4 into a 1-26? Oh, you betcha!

And how about launch methods? Would what the pilot could achieve change
if he had aero-tows available instead of a 1000' car launch? Suppose the
pilot is retired and can fly any day, lives 2 miles from the airport
instead 150 miles, and so on?

Equipment does make a difference, as do life circumstances and location.
Even though it's the OLC is a handicapped contest, there is no way for
the handicap system to provide a level playing field for all variations
in circumstances.

So, for people that think the retrieve problem is holding them back, get
a glider with a motor. No cash? Follow Henry Combs example, and burnish
your personality to a warm glow that convinces people to crew for you
every weekend, week after week, year after year, which is what allowed
Henry to amass 200+ 500K straight out distance flights!

--
Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA (change ".netto" to ".us" to
email me)