On 9 Jul 2003 12:41:55 -0700, (Kirk Stant)
wrote:

While on the subject of badges, I wonder why we don't have any speed
badges to go with the distance ones - since speed is what is now one
of the main objectives of XC soaring. Something like 50 kph (30 mph)
over 50 km for Silver Speed, 100 kph (60mph) over 150 km for Gold
Speed, and 150 kph (90 mph) over 300 km for Diamond Speed.

Interesting idea. Sounds fun too.

We sort of have that in the UK at a fairly low level: there's a
national 100 km diploma which has two parts. Part (a) is just doing
the 100 km task and part (b) requires a handicapped speed of greater
than 65 kph, using the standard BGA glider handicapping.

OTOH, although you can get away with being slow for the 300 km
Gold/Diamond Goal flight, I'd have thought its self limiting after
that: you just can't do 500 km or further unless you've learnt to fly
fast.


--
martin@ : Martin Gregorie
gregorie : Harlow, UK
demon :
co : Zappa fan & glider pilot
uk :