RIP Matt Wright (Balleka on YouTube)

I think the simplest factor that may have had a major effect on his decision was seeing the other glider successfully complete a circuit earlier after an early release.

The subconscious correlation between the earlier launch/return and his flight may have influenced him enough to the point where other options didn't come to mind in the heat of the moment.

In the end, he did us all a great service with his videos and helped us all even more with the sharing of our thoughts on his accident. I know my decision making and pre-planning will be sharper because of this thread.

Paul A.
Jupiter, FL
ASW-19 (basic un-modded speed brakes...for now.)

At 04:15 13 February 2018, Paul Agnew wrote:

Paul A.
Jupiter, FL
ASW-19 (basic un-modded speed brakes...for now.)

Paul,

Get on the phone with Rex Mayes at Williams Soaring and
order that kit today. It's a big landing safety improvement,
and it's pretty easy to install with pre-fab clamps, etc. Just
get it done....

RO

At 14:26 13 February 2018, Michael Opitz wrote:
At 04:15 13 February 2018, Paul Agnew wrote:

Paul A.
Jupiter, FL
ASW-19 (basic un-modded speed brakes...for now.)

Paul,

Get on the phone with Rex Mayes at Williams Soaring and
order that kit today. It's a big landing safety improvement,
and it's pretty easy to install with pre-fab clamps, etc. Just
get it done....

RO


I finally remembered the guy's name. It was Stich. IIRC, he was
an engineer with the DVFLR (German flight research institute).
He also made other mods to his ASW-19 (re-profile of the wing
leading edge, etc?), but the two stage dive brake mod was his
contribution to glider safety. Because of his work position, the
regulatory approvals came very quickly. Now, his invention is
pretty much standard issue on new gliders, and retrofit kits have
been made for older ones that were produced without the rear
plates.

RO

His name is Gerhard Stich (nicknamed "Stichling"), and he re-profiled the leading edge of his ASW20C in 1984. With not much of a result ;-)