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#1
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All Soaring Club Members
Don't be an asshat. You can sit there and argue about how things shouldn't
be generalized and get this thread off topic, or you can take this little reminder and stick it in the back of your head the next time you go out. I hate to tell you, but not all people can afford the luxury of a parachute. This incident was a case where I was thermaling and was unable to see the approaching glider. By the time he saw me I had 1 second to do something since he didn't deviate from his course. "F.L. Whiteley" wrote in message ... 1. How do you know clubs have less activity than commercial operations? Several clubs are very large and active with 100-200 members. There are a few commercial hot spots also, but you can't generalize on this. Commercial operations are generally a US activity. Club predominate in the US in numbers, and around the world overall. It can happen anywhere. In a club, pilots are generally aware of other members who lack or possess skill, courtesy, or airmanship. In a commercial environment, you may be more likely to encounter those who pay their money and take their chances. 2. Wear a parachute. It's often the only second chance in the event of a mid-air. 3. A couple of days ago, I asked the tow pilot if he had another glider in sight as we were towing directly into 'his' thermal. The tow pilot acknowledged, then commenced a diving right turn. 4. Don't know why you'd have half gone inverted. I generally avoid inverted manuevars in gliders except at the top of a loop. No radio? Frank Whiteley "Slick" wrote in message ... I know it's not a club issue, but clubs usually have less activity then commercial operations. I just want to put this back on the table, that was way too close. If I had half gone inverted and dived, we would have collided, and I doubt I would have lived. "BTIZ" wrote in message news:ALiRc.6484$xk.6080@fed1read01... its not a "Club" issue.. it can happen anywhere.. BT "Slick" wrote in message ... Make sure you are aware of everything that is around you when you release. I had an extremely close call today from a tow pilot and glider on tow that neither saw me. When the glider in tow released, it turned into a head on path with me thermaling at the same altitude and came within 20ft. This especially goes out to all those local soaring clubs that don't have a whole lot of activity and don't get in close quarters with one another. If you have to fly formation with someone to learn what it looks like to be too close, do it. I think it should be required before earning your PGL, but that is just my opinion. Until you fly next to someone, you really don't know how far out to look when clearing. -----= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =----- http://www.newsfeeds.com - The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! -----== Over 100,000 Newsgroups - 19 Different Servers! =----- -----= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =----- http://www.newsfeeds.com - The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! -----== Over 100,000 Newsgroups - 19 Different Servers! =----- -----= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =----- http://www.newsfeeds.com - The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! -----== Over 100,000 Newsgroups - 19 Different Servers! =----- |
#2
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Why would you go half inverted and dived? did you not clear the area before
doing acro? You have not seen our club activity on busy days.. BT "Slick" wrote in message ... I know it's not a club issue, but clubs usually have less activity then commercial operations. I just want to put this back on the table, that was way too close. If I had half gone inverted and dived, we would have collided, and I doubt I would have lived. "BTIZ" wrote in message news:ALiRc.6484$xk.6080@fed1read01... its not a "Club" issue.. it can happen anywhere.. BT "Slick" wrote in message ... Make sure you are aware of everything that is around you when you release. I had an extremely close call today from a tow pilot and glider on tow that neither saw me. When the glider in tow released, it turned into a head on path with me thermaling at the same altitude and came within 20ft. This especially goes out to all those local soaring clubs that don't have a whole lot of activity and don't get in close quarters with one another. If you have to fly formation with someone to learn what it looks like to be too close, do it. I think it should be required before earning your PGL, but that is just my opinion. Until you fly next to someone, you really don't know how far out to look when clearing. -----= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =----- http://www.newsfeeds.com - The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! -----== Over 100,000 Newsgroups - 19 Different Servers! =----- -----= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =----- http://www.newsfeeds.com - The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! -----== Over 100,000 Newsgroups - 19 Different Servers! =----- |
#3
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When I first started gliding, I purposefully found a
club where (on weekdays) I was the only one in the sky. This was great to have, lowering my stress level until I could get my wits about me enough to track gliders and tuggies well, and understand the "flow" and habits of other soaring pilots. Some things I'd like to know from others: How many collisions occured within 4 NM of the launch field? %wise How many collisions are in audio-vario ships vs. non-audio? How many times did a pilot purposely get closer to an aircraft he spotted (to catch the same thermal/ridge)? One thing I LOVE about flying with two people, is that we use the "I'm outside, your inside" callouts to signify that the other guy is on controls and checking distances to landouts and managing flaps, while my sole job is "outside" looking for traffic, towplane takeoffs, etc. This seems to work REALLY well. I must say that I only fly solo on sparse days, away from the field except for T/O and landing, and if I don't have an audio vario, I slink away from gliders that join me in a thermal. Although I commonly wear a parachute, and have sport parachute training, I'm not certain I will survive a collision. I prefer avoidance vs. back-up-plan. -- ------------+ Mark Boyd Avenal, California, USA I suggest that you go find other gliders to fly with! Unless you are used to other traffic it can be disoriantating to find yourself in a thermal with several other gliders. It is best to get used to it and improve your lookout. Last year I was flying cross country and found a nice strong thermal all on my own. After about 3 turns I was bounced by the junior Nationals competition and found myself in company with 30+ gliders in same thermal. I am used to busy thermals but that was just too much so I scarpered off to find another one. Then the blighters followed me! I suggest that avoiding other traffic is false safety. It is better to be used to the situation as you do not always know when it will be needed It certainly sharpens up your lookout skills. It is interesting to note that most mid airs in recent years have not been in congested airspace. Almost all gliders in this country have audio varios which are essential if you are to keep a good lookout whilst thermalling. Of the three recent mid airs I can think of one was on fnal approach, one was local soaring in poor visability and one was in a cross country thermal with only the two gliders in the area. The decision when and if to hit the silk is a very personal one. I have seen pilots injured by bailing out when the glider was only slightly damaged. Conversly I have seen pilots killed by trying to fly a badly damaged glider back to the field. Please everybody keep a good lookout and be safe. We have had far to many accidents an injuries this year. Fly with your head, observe, anticipate and plan your escape route if everything turns to worms. Nigel |
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