Quite frankly I think you guys are using the rules
like a drunk uses a streetlamp. For leaning on rather
than illumination.

I have read the FAR regarding the 500' rule. The heading
itself says 'Minimum safe altitudes: General'. This
implies to me that there can be exceptions to this
rule. Why cant you guys lobby the FAA to make it legal
for gliding to participate in a world wide sport? I
am not saying it will be easy or a quick thing to do
but you must admit that it would be more beneficial
in the long term to bring the US contest rules into
line with other world competitors? If they say no,
nothing is lost. You can then carry on with your 500'
doughnut. It does seem self-defeating to give up without
a fight.

The rules are open to much interpretation for instance
gliders fly under VFR rules but do not follow the rules
by the letter. See FAR 91.159. So people quoting FAR's
need to watch their step. Otherwise you could open
a whole can of worms for everyone in ways you havent
considered.

I say that people shouldnt rock the boat. Allow people
to do what they want even if you dont like it. I dont
understand why people launch in a K8 year after year
for two hours local soaring but I do not try to stop
them. I let them get on with it. Gliding is different
things to different people, we have to accept that.
Once you do you will relax and not take everything
so seriously. I know you are about to say 'I only take
safety seriously' but we all do. But what we also take
seriously is people trying to take the fun away for
no real reason.

Chill out and let everyone do what they enjoy.

Owain

PS. Sorry but I wasnt alive in 72-74.Plattsburgh and
Heyford between 84-94


At 15:18 03 October 2003, Jj Sinclair wrote:
I flew the 111 at Mountain Home ('72-'74)

We have established that the 50 foot gate VIOLATES
the FAR's, So what are we
going to do about that?

We have established that some pull-ups VIOLATE the
FAR's, So what are we going
to do about that?

We have established that finishing over people, VIOLATES
the FAR's, So what are
we going to do about that?
JJ Sinclair