what do the bachelors do for crew?

I've been doing some reading about sailplane racing, and it seems
pretty clear that every racer needs a crew. He needs at least one
person who can help him ready the plane and retrieve him when he lands
out. Now, for most guys, I'm guessing crew=wife. But what do all the
single guys do?

Johan Larson

The place where I fly from has a bulleting board, where pilots can post
their ad indicating their need for a crew on specific dates. You can
try that. Also, when I was new at this pastime and seeking to get some
experience, I placed my own ad volunteering my services as ground crew.
I crewed for many pilots, learned a lot & spent a lot of time chasing
gliders in the Western states. I also experienced many bad meals and
nights in cheap motels in the boonies. It was fun, though.

Cheers, Charles

Charisma is what you need; I know, mine is all latent!

At 18:36 09 November 2006,
wrote:
I've been doing some reading about sailplane racing,
and it seems
pretty clear that every racer needs a crew. He needs
at least one
person who can help him ready the plane and retrieve
him when he lands
out. Now, for most guys, I'm guessing crew=wife. But
what do all the
single guys do?

Johan Larson

wrote:
I've been doing some reading about sailplane racing, and it seems
pretty clear that every racer needs a crew. He needs at least one
person who can help him ready the plane and retrieve him when he lands
out. Now, for most guys, I'm guessing crew=wife. But what do all the
single guys do?

I've flown in a number of regional contests without a crew (my wife
crewed for me in my first contest, never again...). There are usually
other pilots around without crew, so we'd usually work out arrangements
ahead of time for mutual support as needed. This tends to focus ones
attention on avoiding land outs, which actually helped my scores quite a
bit. I don't think I'd attempt a national contest without a crew, but
there are others who do...

Marc

I'm married, but when it comes to anything dealing
with gliders, I'm the bachelor. If I'm reading 'SOARING',
I'm a bachelor. If I'm reading RAS, as I am now, I'm
a bachelor. If I'm loading up my car with my stuff
to fly, I'm a bachelor. When I go to the field, I'm
definitely a bachelor.

So, when I go cross country or to a race, I'm definitely
a bachelor and I have to rely on other pilots to help
me. Yes, there was this one day this past summer where
my 'crew' landed out as did I. I think we got my glider
back to home base around 0530 hrs :-) on a Monday
morning and I ended up taking a day of vacation so
I could get some sleep.

So, I know there is NO WAY my wife would EVER crew
for me. NEVER. So, I have to rely on other pilots
to help and I in turn will help them. Hey, anything
for a free dinner once in a while!

Ray Lovinggood
Carrboro, North Carolina, USA


At 21:12 09 November 2006, Marc Ramsey wrote:
wrote:
I've been doing some reading about sailplane racing,
and it seems
pretty clear that every racer needs a crew. He needs
at least one
person who can help him ready the plane and retrieve
him when he lands
out. Now, for most guys, I'm guessing crew=wife. But
what do all the
single guys do?

Yeah... what Ray said...

Jack Womack

Ray Lovinggood wrote:
So, I know there is NO WAY my wife would EVER crew
for me. NEVER.

May I ask why not? Your wife would have to find a way to kill a lot of
time while waiting on the ground, but that doesn't sound like such an
unreasonable thing to ask for, particularly if it's just one week per
year.

Johan Larson

I presume you wouldn't mind spending a week shopping for clothes or
shoes with her in return? Or you could just hang around at the mall -
just for a a week!

Get the picture?

Mike

On Nov 9, 5:00 pm, wrote:
Ray Lovinggood wrote:
So, I know there is NO WAY my wife would EVER crew
for me. NEVER.May I ask why not? Your wife would have to find a way to kill a lot of
time while waiting on the ground, but that doesn't sound like such an
unreasonable thing to ask for, particularly if it's just one week per
year.

Johan Larson

On 9 Nov 2006 10:31:39 -0800, wrote:

I've been doing some reading about sailplane racing, and it seems
pretty clear that every racer needs a crew. He needs at least one
person who can help him ready the plane and retrieve him when he lands
out. Now, for most guys, I'm guessing crew=wife. But what do all the
single guys do?

The same thing the divorced guys who used to make their wives crew for
them do.

rj

My girlfriend has crewed for me once. she didnt mind at all, but wasnt
able to chase me as she was busy with other stuff. Thankfully I dont
have a supership so it wasnt that long of a wait for her to get to me.
only a few hours.
the few times ive had a chase, my CFIG, XC coach and mentor, Matt
Michael has followed me. Hes also come pulled me out of fields after a
friendly phone call. One other time a Power flying friend came and got
me after I called him. That was a fun one. Land at 430. Start
Derigging around 9. Home around 2 AM.
Pretty much I get whoever I can.

Mike the Strike wrote:
I presume you wouldn't mind spending a week shopping for clothes or
shoes with her in return? Or you could just hang around at the mall -
just for a a week!

Get the picture?

Mike

On Nov 9, 5:00 pm, wrote:
Ray Lovinggood wrote:
So, I know there is NO WAY my wife would EVER crew
for me. NEVER.May I ask why not? Your wife would have to find a way to kill a lot of
time while waiting on the ground, but that doesn't sound like such an
unreasonable thing to ask for, particularly if it's just one week per
year.

Johan Larson