Jack, I can't agree that this is negligence on the jet pilot's part - at
least not until the investigation is complete.

Sailplanes are very hard to see. We surprise each other from time to time
at much slower closure rates than any jet is going to see closing with a
sailplane. Failure to maintain visual separation is a given, but negligence
is a stretch until someone shows the Captain/FO of the corporate jet were
reading the newspaper, serving drinks to the pax, or something equally
unlikely in the descent phase.

As far as airliner speeds and routing go, who do you think is going to win
if the airline industry is going to have to slow down or otherwise adjust to
blend with sailplane traffic (read that burn more gas and arrive later)? My
bet is with the airlines and flying public. Think about all the airports
that are closed after new housing encroaches on the airport boundaries. As
a small interest group we need to pick our battles.

I have never flown at Minden, but it sounds like the local crowd clearly
understands what is at stake and have tried to be good neighbors. Since no
one was seriously hurt, perhaps the flying environment won't change much.

Glen



"Jack" wrote in message
ps.com...
I just spent the time to read this whole thread,. Only my friend and
former hangar mate, the Mosquito pilot from Houston, makes real sence.
If you cannot see and avoid in visual flight rules area... SLOW DOWN.
Failure to do so is irresponsible. We don't need transponders if we all
avoid each other and that requires time to see and react. To me this is
the equivalent of riding with my brother in Phoenix who likes to drive
90 on the freeway, tailgating impossibly close, and passing on both
shoulders. It's crazy. I only go with him if I'm driving these days.
What I fear is the jet pilot's neglegence will be paid for by lost
flying priviledges in the soaring community. The other piece is going
into an area of reputed heavy glider traffic. Shouldn't she have known
that? Perhaps slowing them down isn't realistic. Demanding that at
least one of them have his/her head out of the cockpit isn't, in my
opinion.

Jack Womack
PIK-20B N77MA (TE)