On Sep 29, 8:00*am, "John Bojack" wrote:
As a state record keeper, I've never understood the need to knock out as
many existing records as possible with one good flight.

Why not set one goal, achieve it, and be satisfied with what you
accomplished? * Or, is it all about getting ones name in as many tiny little
boxes because on one lucky day the pilot happened to be blessed with super
soaring conditions.

J4

John -

Some pilots may just want to see their "name in lights" in as many
places as possible - I can't speak to that. In my case, it was a
matter of three things:

1) Many records in my state have never been claimed. If I don't claim
them, someone else will, with a single flight like I did. So why not
go ahead and do it, if I'm already submitting all the paperwork for
one or two records anyways? If I could, I'd buy the record-keeper a
beer for the extra work on their end; but people might thing I was
bribing an official! ;-)

2) Its a challenge to fly and set a single record. Its another
challenge to devise an elegant/efficient flight that qualifies for
multiple records. I _like_ challenges. Lots of planning went into my
particular flight, and I didn't fly the record on a "super soaring
conditions" day. I earned that flight, just as anyone else flying
that day earned theirs. I met all the requirements for each of the
record types, as they are laid-out in the Badge & Record Guide (and
per the FAI/SSA rules - as far as I can tell). If I meet the
requirements, why should I not get credit for achieving them?

3) Some of my fellow pilots (including ones whose records I'm
challenging) encouraged me to file for as many records as I qualify
for. They pointed to the records that have been unchallenged for many
years, and they pointed to the many blank spaces in the state record
book, and essentially said "go for it". I figure that if they're
supportive of it, why not do it?

Take care,

--Noel
P.S. The distances that I set are imminently beatable; my hope is
that after the records are confirmed I can publish an article in the
local soaring newsletters and encourage others to try record-flying.
In terms of process & rules, I found it easier than a Silver Badge
flight (although there's a little more paperwork on the back-end, its
not bad). The OLC is a fine tool for "fun competition", but everyone
can fly a different path. The record flights are a little more
restrictive in how/where you fly, so I think it can make for exciting
and fun "one-up-manship" if multiple people try for a record over the
course of a season. As for myself, I would be thrilled to see some
people pick up the gauntlet and whomp my flights!