Not sure it is a better way, but this is how we do this:

We have two pilots who regularly exercise their aerobatic capabilities
in gliders.
We have no aerobatics box.
Power , microlight, autogiros and the occasional helicopter share the
field.

We keep the aerobatics close to the field - for a couple of reasons.
1] It is easy to misjudge energy use or miss changes in conditions,
while engaged in such maneuvers, so it is better to be near a runway.
2] These are higher risk activities, and I would prefer they crash on
the airfield if they are going to - at least we have all the rescue kit
handy...
3] People on the ground can, and (in the case of our club) the launch
marshal is expected to keep a look out. That improves safety by
increasing the chance of people noticing an unsafe situation.
4] Communication is better, the ground station can warn any potential
conflicting traffic.

For safety we have some restrictive rules, that the aerobatics pilots
sometimes resent.
1] No loops / spins / rolls initiated below 2000" agl, chandelles etc
have a bottom altitude of 1000" AGL.
2] Practice finishes and high speed passes are on a "permission basis"
at the discretion of the duty instructor. Any pilot doing an impromptu
aerobatic pull up from his unannounced high speed pass will get a lecture.
3] Any aerobatics flying waits till normal traffic is clear of the
airfield. "Normal" flying has precedence.

Typically we then have "predictable" traffic at circuit height. Lots of
eyes watching the show, and looking out, and decent separation. works
for us so far.



Jack wrote:

On 2004/01/17 16:05, in article , "ADP"
wrote:



I don't need to know any "official" thing about the accident
in question, other than that it occurred.


Hmmmm....



While you have an interesting degree of faith in NTSB reports, I do not
share it.


My frustration with the ability/willingness of human beings to acquire and
use knowledge probably compares to your own, and I appreciate those who make
a sincere effort.



In any accident with which I am familiar, little valuable
insight has emerged regarding the genesis of said accident....


That has not been my experience, though there are many frustrating examples
of a lack either of significant data or of emphasis on certain information
which was available -- in my opinion.



While we are waiting for the NTSB report shall we continue as if nothing has
happened?


No, but let's avoid the type of pointed discussion which is little more than
veiled accusation and ignorant speculation concerning the accident in
question, particularly after it has been made clear to the participants here
that there are active r.a.s. members who were personally acquainted with the
victims, and while the psychic wounds are sill fresh. I think that is not
too much to ask of one another.

Now that the NTSB has published a preliminary report, we have something
which can be sifted for reminders of how to improve our own piloting skills
and judgment.



In the present case, can we not make certain that everyone on the field
knows the bounds of the "Acro box" and that it is published in NOTAMS for
visiting pilots?


Exactly the sort of thing we should do, and in fact we must encourage every
pilot to be aware of every acrobatic box/area in the airspace in which he
operates. This information is a part of preflight planning and can be found
in the A/FD and updated via NOTAM.

One of my pet annoyances is that radio usage and discipline is frequently
unsatisfactory among users of the sort of airfields where glider operations
are usually found. However, that's no excuse for sailplane pilots not to
participate. Particularly in the older two-seaters used in much training, I
find that radio usage is under emphasized.



What is the wisdom of establishing an aerobatic area so near an operating
airport?


The few with which I am familiar are all quite near an airport, though the
airports themselves are very small out-of-the-way fields. That may not be
true elsewhere. I expect that acrobatic pilots can give you reasons why
establishing the box close to the field is a good idea.



I don't pretend to know the answers but surely discussion can not harm the
expansion of knowledge.


True enough, if carried out with some regard for the fact that the members
of r.a.s. in particular and the soaring community in general have closer
connections with one another than some posters may realize.



If discussion makes one uncomfortable then perhaps one is in the wrong
business.


[Seeker of the truth and Grand Wizard of the Anti-politically correct
movement.]


Some here are in the "business" of soaring, but I am confidant that nearly
everyone here has a far deeper interest in the sport than just the bottom
line. And it has been my experience during my short time in the company of
soaring enthusiasts that there is relatively little political correctness
when it comes to soaring. Lift, drag, and that old devil gravity being what
they are, calling a spade a spade is pretty much the order of the day.



Jack