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Old April 19th 17, 02:34 PM posted to rec.aviation.soaring
Ron Gleason
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Posts: 483
Default Improved live tracking for the SSA membership?

On Wednesday, 19 April 2017 00:40:46 UTC-6, Andy Blackburn wrote:
On Tuesday, April 18, 2017 at 8:21:07 PM UTC-7, Tom BravoMike wrote:
"Fine, but why does the 98% of the SSA membership have to fund this for the benefit of the 2% that fly contests?"

Sorry, but using the same logics, why do 99.999999% of Americans have to fund the outer space research for the benefit of the 0.000001% that actually get launched from Cape Canaveral?

One of the answers is: Because it drives progress in so many areas of the modern technological civilization. In a similar way competitions that are broadcast live (almost) have the potential to attract some new fans to the art of soaring, and also help bring together people from the global village, who share the same passion.

I, on my part, support Sean's idea about the logging equipment provided by the SSA to competitors and declare that I would accept an increase of the annual membership fee to achieve that goal, if necessary. How about saving some funds by going totally digital with the "Soaring" magazine?

My understanding of Sean's message is: Let's move on! Let's not give up! Something can be done - let's try it! (((or, if you prefer, "Let's make (soaring in) America great again!)))

Tom BravoMike


A few years back a handful of us felt strongly enough about the importance of PowerFLARM in contests that we bought several dozen rental units. The same idea could apply here. It would be pretty straightforward for those who support this to put together a group of like-minded pilots and soaring benefactors to buy the gear and make it available either for free or for a small fee to pilots who wish to use it in contests. They could even contribute the money to cover the shipping.

It's been done successfully before. I tend to prefer market solutions over socialist ones.

Andy
9B

Here is another tracking option http://www.bbc.com/news/business-39637974