Mid-Air Collisions

(JJ Sinclair) wrote in message ...
1. Distraction (looking at the goodies)

JJ, while I totally agree with the need to spend the maximum time
looking outside for threats (with the emphasis on "clearing your
flightpath", not just looking at the pretty scenery, beautiful
gliders, etc.), I don't think "toys" such as a GPS, moving map, or
glide computer, are the real problem. Used correctly, they DECREASE
the time spent in the cockpit, compared to the old sectional and
manual final glide computer (prayer wheel), etc. Being lost is not
going to help your lookout for other gliders/airplanes! Knowing where
you are, all the time, and knowing where your alternates are, all the
time, gives the pilot a lot more time to make sure he doesn't get to
prove the "big sky theory" wrong.

The key is to let the magic work unsupervised and only come inside
when information is needed, and only after making sure there is
nothing outside that could be a threat during the time you are
heads-down.

It takes a LOT of discipline to do this - we all want to play with out
nice expensive toys - but it really is a life-or-death matter!

BTW, I learned to fly gliders at Vacaville back in 1976 while going
through Nav School at Mather - it sure was a fun place to fly.

Kirk