When is too many at a glider meet

I recently learned that Bruno has increased the number of gliders for the Nephi, UT event to 80. That's right, eight zero. IMHO, that is too many, even if FLARM is mandated. There will be pilots there from virtually zero cross country time to seasoned racers. They may be lulled into a false sense of complacency until a storm forces the entire field back to the airport at once, creating chaos. I get the bad feeling that this number will keep increasing - or stay the same - until there is a fatality.

On Tuesday, June 23, 2015 at 10:02:06 PM UTC-6, 2G wrote:
I recently learned that Bruno has increased the number of gliders for the Nephi, UT event to 80. That's right, eight zero. IMHO, that is too many, even if FLARM is mandated. There will be pilots there from virtually zero cross country time to seasoned racers. They may be lulled into a false sense of complacency until a storm forces the entire field back to the airport at once, creating chaos. I get the bad feeling that this number will keep increasing - or stay the same - until there is a fatality.

Actually what you heard is not correct. There will be 96 gliders at our event. I was hoping for 100 but we couldn't quite make it. Darn!

All kidding aside, sorry but you heard wrong. We are not sure of the final numbers due to many last minute drop outs, but it will be somewhere in the 60's with 6 tow planes. Last year we had 68 gliders attend and it worked out well, both at the airport and in the air. The largest gaggle seen last year only had around a half dozen gliders in it. Utah air and thermals offer lots of room.

Bruno - B4

Bruno,

You've got a ways to go to keep up with the Joneses (or more appropriately the Juhaszes)... there are over 110 registered for the European Gliding Championships in Hungary next month. That's right - one one zero. Slacker.

Erik Mann (P3)

p.s. Not to respond to troll bait, but there are places where 40 gliders is plenty and places where 100 wouldn't be out of the question. And I certainly can't think of any technical sites (mountains, ridges, forests, etc.) where there isn't some level of risk. Anyone that isn't aware of that is probably not ready to go to this sort of encampment or to leave the house unsupervised for that matter.


On Wednesday, June 24, 2015 at 12:13:27 AM UTC-4, wrote:
On Tuesday, June 23, 2015 at 10:02:06 PM UTC-6, 2G wrote:
I recently learned that Bruno has increased the number of gliders for the Nephi, UT event to 80. That's right, eight zero. IMHO, that is too many, even if FLARM is mandated. There will be pilots there from virtually zero cross country time to seasoned racers. They may be lulled into a false sense of complacency until a storm forces the entire field back to the airport at once, creating chaos. I get the bad feeling that this number will keep increasing - or stay the same - until there is a fatality.

Actually what you heard is not correct. There will be 96 gliders at our event. I was hoping for 100 but we couldn't quite make it. Darn!

All kidding aside, sorry but you heard wrong. We are not sure of the final numbers due to many last minute drop outs, but it will be somewhere in the 60's with 6 tow planes. Last year we had 68 gliders attend and it worked out well, both at the airport and in the air. The largest gaggle seen last year only had around a half dozen gliders in it. Utah air and thermals offer lots of room.

Bruno - B4

On Wednesday, 24 June 2015 11:40:19 UTC-6, Papa3 wrote:
Bruno,

You've got a ways to go to keep up with the Joneses (or more appropriately the Juhaszes)... there are over 110 registered for the European Gliding Championships in Hungary next month. That's right - one one zero. Slacker.

Erik Mann (P3)

p.s. Not to respond to troll bait, but there are places where 40 gliders is plenty and places where 100 wouldn't be out of the question. And I certainly can't think of any technical sites (mountains, ridges, forests, etc..) where there isn't some level of risk. Anyone that isn't aware of that is probably not ready to go to this sort of encampment or to leave the house unsupervised for that matter.


On Wednesday, June 24, 2015 at 12:13:27 AM UTC-4, wrote:
On Tuesday, June 23, 2015 at 10:02:06 PM UTC-6, 2G wrote:
I recently learned that Bruno has increased the number of gliders for the Nephi, UT event to 80. That's right, eight zero. IMHO, that is too many, even if FLARM is mandated. There will be pilots there from virtually zero cross country time to seasoned racers. They may be lulled into a false sense of complacency until a storm forces the entire field back to the airport at once, creating chaos. I get the bad feeling that this number will keep increasing - or stay the same - until there is a fatality.

Actually what you heard is not correct. There will be 96 gliders at our event. I was hoping for 100 but we couldn't quite make it. Darn!

All kidding aside, sorry but you heard wrong. We are not sure of the final numbers due to many last minute drop outs, but it will be somewhere in the 60's with 6 tow planes. Last year we had 68 gliders attend and it worked out well, both at the airport and in the air. The largest gaggle seen last year only had around a half dozen gliders in it. Utah air and thermals offer lots of room.

Bruno - B4

Erik, Erik, Erik how can you make this comparison? In Nephi we gather to fly with friends, attempt personal bests, fly the Great Basin, experience 8-10 knot thermals, observe National Parks and monuments from air, stay airborne for 4, 6, 8+ hours, attempt state records, find cloud streets or lift lines that run for 10's of miles, make new friends, experience rural UT and many other great experience soaring is known for.

Of course there are 110+ pilots at the European Championships, who would not want to attend when you have sponsors paying for everything, free use of gliders provided by manufacturers, accommodations at 4star hotels, air conditioned facilities for pilot meetings and lounges, ground crews provided by the organizers that do everything for the pilots, catered meals, free booze and much much more. Plus you have a set rules to follow that the US folks do not understand.

No comparison at all

Humor Ron. Humor.

P3

On Wednesday, June 24, 2015 at 2:30:27 PM UTC-4, Ron Gleason wrote:
On Wednesday, 24 June 2015 11:40:19 UTC-6, Papa3 wrote:
Bruno,

You've got a ways to go to keep up with the Joneses (or more appropriately the Juhaszes)... there are over 110 registered for the European Gliding Championships in Hungary next month. That's right - one one zero. Slacker.

Erik Mann (P3)

p.s. Not to respond to troll bait, but there are places where 40 gliders is plenty and places where 100 wouldn't be out of the question. And I certainly can't think of any technical sites (mountains, ridges, forests, etc.) where there isn't some level of risk. Anyone that isn't aware of that is probably not ready to go to this sort of encampment or to leave the house unsupervised for that matter.


On Wednesday, June 24, 2015 at 12:13:27 AM UTC-4, wrote:
On Tuesday, June 23, 2015 at 10:02:06 PM UTC-6, 2G wrote:
I recently learned that Bruno has increased the number of gliders for the Nephi, UT event to 80. That's right, eight zero. IMHO, that is too many, even if FLARM is mandated. There will be pilots there from virtually zero cross country time to seasoned racers. They may be lulled into a false sense of complacency until a storm forces the entire field back to the airport at once, creating chaos. I get the bad feeling that this number will keep increasing - or stay the same - until there is a fatality.

Actually what you heard is not correct. There will be 96 gliders at our event. I was hoping for 100 but we couldn't quite make it. Darn!

All kidding aside, sorry but you heard wrong. We are not sure of the final numbers due to many last minute drop outs, but it will be somewhere in the 60's with 6 tow planes. Last year we had 68 gliders attend and it worked out well, both at the airport and in the air. The largest gaggle seen last year only had around a half dozen gliders in it. Utah air and thermals offer lots of room.

Bruno - B4

Erik, Erik, Erik how can you make this comparison? In Nephi we gather to fly with friends, attempt personal bests, fly the Great Basin, experience 8-10 knot thermals, observe National Parks and monuments from air, stay airborne for 4, 6, 8+ hours, attempt state records, find cloud streets or lift lines that run for 10's of miles, make new friends, experience rural UT and many other great experience soaring is known for.

Of course there are 110+ pilots at the European Championships, who would not want to attend when you have sponsors paying for everything, free use of gliders provided by manufacturers, accommodations at 4star hotels, air conditioned facilities for pilot meetings and lounges, ground crews provided by the organizers that do everything for the pilots, catered meals, free booze and much much more. Plus you have a set rules to follow that the US folks do not understand.

No comparison at all

On Wednesday, 24 June 2015 13:41:45 UTC-6, Papa3 wrote:
Humor Ron. Humor.

P3

On Wednesday, June 24, 2015 at 2:30:27 PM UTC-4, Ron Gleason wrote:
On Wednesday, 24 June 2015 11:40:19 UTC-6, Papa3 wrote:
Bruno,

You've got a ways to go to keep up with the Joneses (or more appropriately the Juhaszes)... there are over 110 registered for the European Gliding Championships in Hungary next month. That's right - one one zero. Slacker.

Erik Mann (P3)

p.s. Not to respond to troll bait, but there are places where 40 gliders is plenty and places where 100 wouldn't be out of the question. And I certainly can't think of any technical sites (mountains, ridges, forests, etc.) where there isn't some level of risk. Anyone that isn't aware of that is probably not ready to go to this sort of encampment or to leave the house unsupervised for that matter.


On Wednesday, June 24, 2015 at 12:13:27 AM UTC-4, wrote:
On Tuesday, June 23, 2015 at 10:02:06 PM UTC-6, 2G wrote:
I recently learned that Bruno has increased the number of gliders for the Nephi, UT event to 80. That's right, eight zero. IMHO, that is too many, even if FLARM is mandated. There will be pilots there from virtually zero cross country time to seasoned racers. They may be lulled into a false sense of complacency until a storm forces the entire field back to the airport at once, creating chaos. I get the bad feeling that this number will keep increasing - or stay the same - until there is a fatality.

Actually what you heard is not correct. There will be 96 gliders at our event. I was hoping for 100 but we couldn't quite make it. Darn!

All kidding aside, sorry but you heard wrong. We are not sure of the final numbers due to many last minute drop outs, but it will be somewhere in the 60's with 6 tow planes. Last year we had 68 gliders attend and it worked out well, both at the airport and in the air. The largest gaggle seen last year only had around a half dozen gliders in it. Utah air and thermals offer lots of room.

Bruno - B4

Erik, Erik, Erik how can you make this comparison? In Nephi we gather to fly with friends, attempt personal bests, fly the Great Basin, experience 8-10 knot thermals, observe National Parks and monuments from air, stay airborne for 4, 6, 8+ hours, attempt state records, find cloud streets or lift lines that run for 10's of miles, make new friends, experience rural UT and many other great experience soaring is known for.

Of course there are 110+ pilots at the European Championships, who would not want to attend when you have sponsors paying for everything, free use of gliders provided by manufacturers, accommodations at 4star hotels, air conditioned facilities for pilot meetings and lounges, ground crews provided by the organizers that do everything for the pilots, catered meals, free booze and much much more. Plus you have a set rules to follow that the US folks do not understand.

No comparison at all

back at ya Erik

Quote :-
Of course there are 110+ pilots at the European Championships, who
would =
not want to attend when you have sponsors paying for everything, free
use o=
f gliders provided by manufacturers, accommodations at 4star hotels,
air co=
nditioned facilities for pilot meetings and lounges, ground crews
provided =
by the organizers that do everything for the pilots, catered meals, free
bo=
oze and much much more. Plus you have a set rules to follow that the
US fo=
lks do not understand.

I cant speak for other nations but the uk pilots:-
Have very limited sponsorship, typically this pays for the ferry and fuel
to get to the event.
Use their own gliders.
Stay in their own tents.
Meeting rooms might be provided by the organisers to all competitors.
Provide their own crews.
Buy food and refreshment like anyone else.
you read the rules like any other competitor.

Incidentally our club has a typical grid launch at the weekends of 40 -
80 gliders. plus winch launches plus club aerotows. The 18m Nationals
and Laham regionals will have a combined entry of about 90 gliders.

At 18:30 24 June 2015, Ron Gleason wrote:
On Wednesday, 24 June 2015 11:40:19 UTC-6, Papa3 wrote:
Bruno,=20
=20
You've got a ways to go to keep up with the Joneses (or more
appropriatel=
y the Juhaszes)... there are over 110 registered for the European Gliding
C=
hampionships in Hungary next month. That's right - one one zero.
Slacke=
r. =20
=20
Erik Mann (P3)
=20
p.s. Not to respond to troll bait, but there are places where 40
gliders
=
is plenty and places where 100 wouldn't be out of the question. And I
ce=
rtainly can't think of any technical sites (mountains, ridges, forests,
etc=
..) where there isn't some level of risk. Anyone that isn't aware of
that
=
is probably not ready to go to this sort of encampment or to leave the
hous=
e unsupervised for that matter. =20
=20
=20
On Wednesday, June 24, 2015 at 12:13:27 AM UTC-4,
wrot=
e:
On Tuesday, June 23, 2015 at 10:02:06 PM UTC-6, 2G wrote:
I recently learned that Bruno has increased the number of gliders
for=
the Nephi, UT event to 80. That's right, eight zero. IMHO, that is too
man=
y, even if FLARM is mandated. There will be pilots there from virtually
zer=
o cross country time to seasoned racers. They may be lulled into a false
se=
nse of complacency until a storm forces the entire field back to the
airpor=
t at once, creating chaos. I get the bad feeling that this number will
keep=
increasing - or stay the same - until there is a fatality.
=20
Actually what you heard is not correct. There will be 96 gliders at
ou=
r event. I was hoping for 100 but we couldn't quite make it. Darn! =20
=20
All kidding aside, sorry but you heard wrong. We are not sure of the
fi=
nal numbers due to many last minute drop outs, but it will be somewhere
in
=
the 60's with 6 tow planes. Last year we had 68 gliders attend and it
work=
ed out well, both at the airport and in the air. The largest gaggle seen
l=
ast year only had around a half dozen gliders in it. Utah air and
thermals
=
offer lots of room.
=20
Bruno - B4

Erik, Erik, Erik how can you make this comparison? In Nephi we gather to
f=
ly with friends, attempt personal bests, fly the Great Basin, experience
8-=
10 knot thermals, observe National Parks and monuments from air, stay
airbo=
rne for 4, 6, 8+ hours, attempt state records, find cloud streets or lift
l=
ines that run for 10's of miles, make new friends, experience rural UT
and
=
many other great experience soaring is known for.

Of course there are 110+ pilots at the European Championships, who would
no=
t want to attend when you have sponsors paying for everything, free use
of
=
gliders provided by manufacturers, accommodations at 4star hotels, air
cond=
itioned facilities for pilot meetings and lounges, ground crews provided
by=
the organizers that do everything for the pilots, catered meals, free
booz=
e and much much more. Plus you have a set rules to follow that the US
folk=
s do not understand.=20

No comparison at all

Jeeze do they sponsor gliding now - cool I can finally quit my day job!!!

I thought at first that this was a reference to Steve & Howard Jones flying
the Arcus!


At 17:40 24 June 2015, Papa3 wrote:
Bruno,=20

You've got a ways to go to keep up with the Joneses (or more
appropriately
=
the Juhaszes)... there are over 110 registered for the European Gliding
Championships in Hungary next month. That's right - one one zero.

All that I will say to all of these "feel good" responses is that I hope to God that I am wrong and this event will be perfectly safe.

Tom