Gliding risk....

I think it's worth adding that 80% of drivers think they are above average in skill. (https://newsroom.aaa.com/2018/01/ame...-driving-cars/)

That same illusory superiority probably applies to gliding. Yet, crashes still happen to these "above average" pilots.

On Thursday, October 31, 2019 at 9:43:15 AM UTC-7, Patrick Grady wrote:
I think it's worth adding that 80% of drivers think they are above average in skill. (https://newsroom.aaa.com/2018/01/ame...-driving-cars/)

That same illusory superiority probably applies to gliding. Yet, crashes still happen to these "above average" pilots.

I once showed photos taken while mountain soaring in the Canadian Rockies to a guy who raced motorcycles; his reaction was that glider flying was insanely dangerous (the photos were quite dramatic). I knew otherwise, because at all times I was within safe gliding distance of landable fields. Basically, perception is not reality. The more you fly, the safer you will be (within reason), and these type of articles suggest the opposite.

Tom

On Wednesday, October 30, 2019 at 6:49:22 PM UTC-6, wrote:
For those who haven’t seen it....

https://chessintheair.com/the-risk-o...-what-we-love/

I think the reactions to this article is super interesting. I posted this to my local hang gliding/paragliding club and the reactions were super similar to what has been posted here.

If we read this and take exception with which sport is riskier, I feel we are missing the point. My guess is most of us participate in several of these "risky" activities. The real question we should be asking is, "HOW CAN I BE SAFER AND MAKE BETTER DECISIONS?".

"HOW CAN I BE SAFER AND MAKE BETTER DECISIONS?" Drink less booze don't smoke pot, and stay home on the couch! I forgot look both ways before you cross the street. Anything that is affected by gravity (and some things that aren't) has risk. Like gambling, only gamble what you're willing to loose.

On Monday, November 4, 2019 at 7:30:24 AM UTC-8, Glidergeek wrote:
"HOW CAN I BE SAFER AND MAKE BETTER DECISIONS?" Drink less booze don't smoke pot, and stay home on the couch! I forgot look both ways before you cross the street. Anything that is affected by gravity (and some things that aren't) has risk. Like gambling, only gamble what you're willing to loose.

Mr. Foster, here I think we have exhibit A. Good luck in your soaring career GliderGeek...

On Monday, November 4, 2019 at 7:30:24 AM UTC-8, Glidergeek wrote:
"HOW CAN I BE SAFER AND MAKE BETTER DECISIONS?" Drink less booze don't smoke pot, and stay home on the couch! I forgot look both ways before you cross the street. Anything that is affected by gravity (and some things that aren't) has risk. Like gambling, only gamble what you're willing to loose.

Mr. Foster, here I think we have exhibit A. Good luck in your soaring career GliderGeek...

On Monday, November 4, 2019 at 7:30:24 AM UTC-8, Glidergeek wrote:
"HOW CAN I BE SAFER AND MAKE BETTER DECISIONS?" Drink less booze don't smoke pot, and stay home on the couch! I forgot look both ways before you cross the street. Anything that is affected by gravity (and some things that aren't) has risk. Like gambling, only gamble what you're willing to loose.

I'll instead avoid the personal attack. I did not expect the thread to so quickly and thoroughly support Mr. Foster's idea...

On Monday, November 4, 2019 at 9:42:27 AM UTC-8, wrote:
On Monday, November 4, 2019 at 7:30:24 AM UTC-8, Glidergeek wrote:
"HOW CAN I BE SAFER AND MAKE BETTER DECISIONS?" Drink less booze don't smoke pot, and stay home on the couch! I forgot look both ways before you cross the street. Anything that is affected by gravity (and some things that aren't) has risk. Like gambling, only gamble what you're willing to loose.

I'll instead avoid the personal attack. I did not expect the thread to so quickly and thoroughly support Mr. Foster's idea...

This is one of the DUMBEST threads I have followed - if you want something even MORE DANGEROUS try wing suiting in Norway!

On Tuesday, November 5, 2019 at 1:11:24 AM UTC-5, 2G wrote:
On Monday, November 4, 2019 at 9:42:27 AM UTC-8, wrote:
On Monday, November 4, 2019 at 7:30:24 AM UTC-8, Glidergeek wrote:
"HOW CAN I BE SAFER AND MAKE BETTER DECISIONS?" Drink less booze don't smoke pot, and stay home on the couch! I forgot look both ways before you cross the street. Anything that is affected by gravity (and some things that aren't) has risk. Like gambling, only gamble what you're willing to loose.

I'll instead avoid the personal attack. I did not expect the thread to so quickly and thoroughly support Mr. Foster's idea...

This is one of the DUMBEST threads I have followed - if you want something even MORE DANGEROUS try wing suiting in Norway!

BTDT. Makes soaring really safe, for me. lolz.

With apologies for lack of context:
This is one of the DUMBEST threads I have followed

Not dumb. Thought provoking. Anyone who hasn't considered the risks of soaring is in denial.

I grew up hearing my father repeat the mantra that "the most dangerous part of soaring is driving to and from the airport." He was killed in a glider crash 15 years after I soloed. Six years later, my best friend died in another crash. I’ve known 16 other casualties, plus more I never met. Last Friday, I attended the wake of #18, a good pilot about my age who was careful and controlled.

I'm SO past the "he died doing what he loved" thing. It's probably true in many cases but the pilots are still dead, leaving families and friends. And if a missing man formation makes you feel better, great, but it does nothing to bring back someone you loved or treasured as a friend.

I also knew two guys who were killed in motorcycle crashes during this time (54 years), although I have no idea how many of my friends/acquaintances ride vs. fly. I recall only one person I met who was killed in a car crash. I think comparing the risks of different activities is useful. But obviously we're not all making decisions based on minimizing risk.

There are ways to reduce the risk even in competition, which I think is probably riskier than doing rides around the gliderport. Eight of "my" 18 died at contests (44%) with another five arguably practicing for it. All were experienced, mature, high-time pilots. Medical factors may have been a factor in at least four cases but often it’s tough to make that call, although sometimes we’re tempted because it makes us feel better about the genuine risks we incur.

The safest thing is not flying at all. I’ve considered that. I’ve been away from soaring three times for multi-year periods (unrelated to risk) and come back every time after considering the pro’s and con’s. I still love soaring but the risk is always there. I’ve never been cavalier about the danger but I’m probably more careful now than I was 50 years ago. I think our community addresses safety much better than in the past. But--I concede that if soaring were 100% risk free (a la Condor, which I enjoy), it wouldn’t be as compelling. Cognitive dissonance is a wonderful thing!

Chip Bearden
JB