[USA] What do you think of the agenda items at the IGC Plenary?

On Jan 26, 8:56*am, John Cochrane
wrote:

Is there any way to hijack this thread back to Rick's post?

Perhaps.

Even though it's sometimes tempting to accuse IGC of various
transgressions against common sense, it's more constructive and
helpful to realize that WE ARE IGC.

Every year at this time, all the glider pilots in the world get a
chance to influence the decisions made at the highest level of our
sport, by communicating with their delegates. At the meeting in
March, the delegates will vote on the items on the agenda. And they
will discuss the hot topics that may show up on a future agenda.

This year, the following will be decided by vote:

Whether to require FLARM at international competitions (it's a yes or
no question)
How to distribute the 7 WGC classes throughout the multi-year calendar
The site of the 2014 WGC in the flapped classes (three bids)
The sites of other contests that USA tends to ignore.
Should ballast be allowed in the 13.5 meter class?
Should international competitions use handicaps in the 20 meter 2 seat
class?
Should we stop adjusting handicaps for individual glider weights in
the Club class?
Should altitude records use GPS altitude instead of pressure altitude?
Should the wrong Pilot ID or glider ID in the flight log invalidate a
badge or record claim?
Should medallions be issued for teams at international competitions?
Should we allow GPS (not pressure) altitude for Silver and Gold
climbs?

The hot topics that will be discussed will probably include:

What is the status of the Sailplane Grand Prix, and where are we
headed with that?
What to do about our atrocious safety record last year?
What to do about zero bids for the 2014 unflapped WGC?
Let's get rid of my least favorite class.
Should electrics and jets be subject to different rules from other
motorgliders?
Should participation on practice days be mandatory?
Should there be a minimum protest fee?

If you're interested in any of the above, then read the agenda:
http://www.fai.org/gliding/igc_plenary11 and tell your delegate how to
vote.

If you're not interested, or if you want to continue to feel
persecuted by IGC, I have no advice for you.

Rick Sheppe

Email sent.

-T8

Why is anybody considering: "Should electrics and jets be subject to
different rules from other motorgliders?"

What arguments lie behind the question, but do not apply to any motor
vs pure glider?

Chris N

On Jan 27, 1:21*pm, Chris Nicholas wrote:
Why is anybody considering: "Should electrics and jets be subject to
different rules from other motorgliders?"

What arguments lie behind the question, but do not apply to any motor
vs pure glider?

Chris N

I think this relates to MOP detection charactersitics of flight
recorders.

Andy

On Jan 28, 5:59*am, Ian Strachan wrote:

Comments welcome on any of the above.

I support the idea that the Official Observer should be responsible
for evaluating the flight recorder and for verifying that, as
installed, it is capable of detecting low power operation of the MOP.

I find it a bit disturbing to spend a lot of money on an approved
flight recorder only to find just a few years later that some aspect
of that approval is no longer valid.

Andy

On 1/28/2011 5:15 AM, Andy wrote:
On Jan 28, 5:59 am, Ian wrote:

Comments welcome on any of the above.

I support the idea that the Official Observer should be responsible
for evaluating the flight recorder and for verifying that, as
installed, it is capable of detecting low power operation of the MOP.

I find it a bit disturbing to spend a lot of money on an approved
flight recorder only to find just a few years later that some aspect
of that approval is no longer valid.

I'm not disturbed, and I'm in the same situation. I haven't lost any
functionality, as it is still good for everything it was good for back
when I bought it, just not new things like jets and electric.

And if I decide to buy an electric or jet powered motorglider, the cost
replacing my current recorder will not even be noticeable in the total
bill. The day-to-day wiggles in the currency exchange rate will cause
more variation than the cost of a new flight recorder.

--
Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA (change ".netto" to ".us" to
email me)

On Jan 28, 5:15*am, Andy wrote:
On Jan 28, 5:59*am, Ian Strachan wrote:

Comments welcome on any of the above.

I support the idea that the Official Observer should be responsible
for evaluating the flight recorder and for verifying that, as
installed, it is capable of detecting low power operation of the MOP.

I find it a bit disturbing to spend a lot of money on an approved
flight recorder only to find just a few years later that some aspect
of that approval is no longer valid.

Andy

I'll never need to worry about this, but I'm astounded it's an issue.
My Cambridge 302A has ENL, and I there is s distinct drop in ENL when
I release the tow rope. What MOPs are quiter than a Pawnee 50 meters
away?
I AM interested in the GPS/Baro altitude discussion. I personally
prefer GPS.