Andes accident

On Wed, 08 Dec 2010 08:03:04 -0800, Andy wrote:

White glider in snow is probably no easier to spot than a person with
contrasting color clothing but it does provide shelter.

The glider is most likely harder to spot than a person in reasonable
colourful clothes.

I remember being in the circuit at Nympsfield in a K-13 behind a Nimbus 3
one year when there was an even 3" layer of snow on the field under a
nice blue sky and a fabulous view of the Welsh mountains. We were
following an all white Nimbus round the circuit and on the base leg the
instructor asked where I was planning to land. When I said "To the left
of the Nimbus" he replied "Good plan". The Nimbus landed as we were
turning onto finals and completely vanished as soon as it stopped
rolling. I said "I've lost the Nimbus" and a comforting "So have I" came
from the back seat, but when we too stopped we were well clear of it.

Lesson learned: white gliders are visible while they're moving but once
they stop you can't see them.


--
martin@ | Martin Gregorie
gregorie. | Essex, UK
org |