Badges ? ... We don't need no stinkin' badges

My first BFR is coming up soon. That gives you an idea of how long I've
been flying. At this point, I figure Gold Distance and Duration are
quite doable on a "good" day. Those badges will be challenging, but
within reach. The altitude gain is not impossible, but unlikely where I
fly.

The biggest hold up to making some badge claims is cost. I'm not sure
I'm willing to cough up a grand for a data logger. I don't understand
why the igc files produced by my WinPilot ADV are unacceptable. Is
cheating that much of a problem in badge claims? Hell, by today's
standards, Gold Badges are fairly modest accomplishments. Are there
really glider pilots who would rather manipulate files than do the
flying? Quite frankly, I think the flying is easier. (and I'm a
programmer by profession)

Lately, I've been thinking about a barograph and a digital camera. On
the other hand, maybe the badges are just too much trouble.

Doug

you don't need no stinking data logger... but it does make things easier to
process.

Baro and camera work just fine.. but last I knew, digital cameras are out.
Still have to go back to the uncut negative for proof of sequence of turn
points etc.

Best to ask the Badge Lady

BT

"Doug Snyder" wrote in message
ups.com...
My first BFR is coming up soon. That gives you an idea of how long I've
been flying. At this point, I figure Gold Distance and Duration are
quite doable on a "good" day. Those badges will be challenging, but
within reach. The altitude gain is not impossible, but unlikely where I
fly.

The biggest hold up to making some badge claims is cost. I'm not sure
I'm willing to cough up a grand for a data logger. I don't understand
why the igc files produced by my WinPilot ADV are unacceptable. Is
cheating that much of a problem in badge claims? Hell, by today's
standards, Gold Badges are fairly modest accomplishments. Are there
really glider pilots who would rather manipulate files than do the
flying? Quite frankly, I think the flying is easier. (and I'm a
programmer by profession)

Lately, I've been thinking about a barograph and a digital camera. On
the other hand, maybe the badges are just too much trouble.

Doug

"Doug Snyder" wrote in message On
the other hand, maybe the badges are just too much trouble.

Doug


I guess for some, the accomplishment and whatever recognition happens is
important. No problem. Me? I don't need no stinkin' badges either. I enjoy
soaring for it's own sake. I've been to 28,000 and at my age, have little
desire to do so again.

bumper

Meeting soaring goals is 99% self achievement....if
badge flights do not interest you because of the hassle,
don't do them. Surely don't do them if you think parading
about with a stupid looking Gilligan's Island hat adorned
with badges means much to other pilots.

However if the effort to do the badge flight pushes
your limitations in a safe manner, then by all means
use them to open the door to the beauty of cross country.

Different people soar for different reasons. Some live for contests,
some like the challenge of badge work, and some like Bumper and me just
love to soar for the sake of soaring, with no predefined route. That
way, when we get up and see better conditions somewhere they weren't
expected, we can strike out in that direction instead of being confined
to a declared route.

While that is my preferred mode of soaring, I am thankful for all the
different types attracted to this sport. We are few enough in number
that we need to value every addition. And, even if that weren't the
case, it's absoultely understandable that different people soar for
different reasons. I was glad to see that this thread hadn't
degenerated into a "But that isn't REAL soaring," kind of thing. There
are probably as many perceptions of what constitutes "real soaring" as
there are glider pilots.

Martin

Stewart Kissel wrote:

However if the effort to do the badge flight pushes
your limitations in a safe manner, then by all means
use them to open the door to the beauty of cross country.

I think this is the best reason for pursuing badges or records. For me,
the focus on a task (Badge, record, or contest), with it's planning and
commitment, is a pleasant change from the rambling exploration I
normally do about 70% of the time.

This year, I discovered a very enjoyable combination some of the best
features rambling and a task: the OLC (Online Contest). It lets you go
off in any direction you like at any time, since a task isn't declared,
but some planning before the flight and a little strategy (mainly, keep
the first 3 legs long) during the flight can yield a much higher score.

This year I focused on doing long O&R flights to visit as much new
territory as possible (after 30 years of flying from Richland, WA, the
first 100 miles in any direction was becoming a "commute"). Inspired by
pilots like Kempton Izuno and Gordon Boettger, and empowered by Dr.
Jack's Blipmaps, I had a very successful season. No badges or records
yet, but some great flights. Next year I will continue to pursue long
O&Rs, and also distance flights if the weather is good or better at the
turnpoint.

All to be placed on the OLC, of course, hoping others will be inspired.
I'd especially like to see motorglider pilots become more adventurous.

--
Change "netto" to "net" to email me directly

Eric Greenwell
Washington State
USA

On several occasions here in Arizona, someone has offered to lend a flight
logger to a pilot so that they may use it for a badge attempt. If you only
need it for a day or two that works great as long as you fly where there are
other folks and that they are willing to do that. Obviously you'll need
power to the logger and if it doesn't have a GPS as part of it will need to
borrow one of those too. Seems like that may be the easiest solution if
you're just wanting it for a flight or two.

Casey Lenox
KC
Phoenix

Kilo Charlie wrote:
On several occasions here in Arizona, someone has offered to lend a flight
logger to a pilot so that they may use it for a badge attempt. If you only
need it for a day or two that works great as long as you fly where there are
other folks and that they are willing to do that. Obviously you'll need
power to the logger and if it doesn't have a GPS as part of it will need to
borrow one of those too. Seems like that may be the easiest solution if
you're just wanting it for a flight or two.

Casey Lenox
KC
Phoenix


Where I come from it is not unheard of to lend the whole glider with the logger
in it to someone who wants to fly a badge, and does not have a suitable personal
aircraft. My Cirrus has done four Silver Cs that way.

What goes round comes round - next time you need a retrieve, and it certainly
helps the club/community thing...

--
Bruce Greeff
Std Cirrus #57
I'm no-T at the address above.

Quick - where did the line "Badges? We don't need no stinkin' badges!"
come from?

"ContestID67" wrote in message
ups.com...
Quick - where did the line "Badges? We don't need no stinkin' badges!"
come from?

Treasure of the Sierra Madre

Tim Ward