jcarlyle wrote:

Well thanks, Jack, I look forward to seeing you at our 10,000 hour
milestones.

Yours, perhaps. You missed mine. I'll be happy to get a mere thousand in
Gliders.


The reply that you quoted from me was written
to NoSpam, who said "Teaching students to fly in so called "unspinable"
gliders has to be one of the the most reckless and dangerous things
done [because] they won't pay attention to how well they are flying".

He could be right. I've never instructed in Gliders: perhaps he has. I
believe in spin training, but there are respected opinions on both sides
of the issue. People will kill themselves in any aspect of the game --
usually from the same basic cause of not being well prepared for
whatever it is they encounter. When they move up to a readily spinnable
single-seater, and I understand there are some, it might be a huge
advantage to have spun something, even one of the more docile
two-seaters, earlier in their experience.

You report that confidence in your ability to deal with spins and other
aircraft control issues was cemented when you finally did spins -- if I
have read you correctly. That sounds like a recommendation for a
spinnable trainer to me. You were just a little delayed in getting that
phase of your training.


I take it that you agree with NoSpam - being afraid is the best way to
fly?

"Nospam" didn't say anything about being afraid, and I doubt he
advocates it. I can't remember being afraid in an aircraft, though there
have been several instances of "heightened alertness" along the way. I
have noted through the years that some people are afraid of being afraid.

You say there never has been a time when you were not paying attention
to your flying, but eventually there will be -- unless you quit
prematurely, or simply don't take on many challenges. I hope it won't
surprise you too much.


Jack