NEW Sporting Code rules

Silver distance rules

In the recent past, a pilot could declare a remote start point some distance from the launch / release point. Then soar to the declared start point and cross a start line to begin the task.

One example of this task would allow a glider pilot to release near the home gliderport, fly some distance (25 km) to the start line, then retrace the route back to the gliderport - overfly the gliderport and continue to a finish line 25 kilometers away before returning to the gliderport.

The pilot would have soared some 100 km to achieve the declared 50 km task to fulfill the Silver badge distance requirement, however, never being more than 25 km away.

This task required planning and soaring / navigating and judgment skills, but with reasonable judgment, avoided the risks associated with off field landings.

The only thing the new FAI rules will create is the necessity for the tow plane to tow the glider some 25 kilometers to the release point incurring more expense and a higher risk of an off field landing.

One of the principle purposes of the Silver Badge is to encourage pilots to discover the satisfaction of achieving goals.

The new rules imposes unnecessary higher risks.

Tom Knauff