On 23 Jun 2005 10:33:46 -0700, "Bob Kuykendall"
wrote:

One interesting tangent to this issue is that there is a clear
competitive advantage to small, light fuselages with small cockpits.
.... and small pilots.
Unfortunately reality shows that an extremely small cockpit
(Ventus/Discus a, Diana 1) does not influence the outcome of a
competition - gliders with bigger cockpits don't show an disadvantage
in reality.


However, you don't have to look too far to see an alternate future in
which this is not the case. Suppose, for a moment, that it becomes
fashionable to gamble on the outcome of certain soaring contests.
Prizes and incentives are offered for winning. Competitive performance
becomes not just a matter of pride and prestive, but of serious
financial gain.

In other words: Formula One.
The racing class that has created the fastest and safest cars on
planet Earth within the last decade.



Bye
Andreas