2010 Pilot Poll

O.K.

All the questions are perfectly good and loking to gain insight
fromthe racing community.

But there are some glaring omissions to the overall content of the
Poll - For instance:

1) What should happen to the scores of pilots involved IN a midair?
Under international rules (I beleive) the pilots are scored to the
point of collision. This would have shaken up the results at Parowan
substantially this year. And it is an important safety issue - I do
not want to be out racing and wrapping up intoin a thermal with a ship
that has been possibly "winged" in some way.

2) No mention of recognition for Club Class (either scored as a subset
of Sports nationals or in a stand-alone contest class)? This despite
two succesful regional events. I would have been at both of them, but
for the fact that because I have a family, I can only afford (barely)
a club class-type ship, and being a family man can not commit to any
contest held during the school year. There are many more pilots/
gliders in my same shoes - has the RC thought about this when
crunching hte numbers of participation. Also, I'd be at next year's
Sports Nats - but wait, its beingheld in early May. Young Pilots with
early careers, Youth pilots, and Pilots with Kids - which probably
encompasses a big part of the potential Club Class pool - just can't
do that contest. Therefore they will not particpate - even if the will
is overwhlemingly there.

Yes,these are two issue which I have "skin" in the game over, but the
poll seems pretty light on the heavy, how do we make the sport better,
strategic questions, particularly with the proposed changes to US Team
- Club Class selection criteria.

I am willing to bet the RC wants us to know that it has no business
determining US Team selection criteria. That is certainly true.

However, if the RC would just really give the club class official
recognition (maybe on a provisional basis), maybe the class would be
substantial enough for the US Team Committee to be able to make a
considered (with real facts and participation data) decision vis a vis
Club Class selection.

EY