Hmm, we recently had a lot of talk about practicing rope breaks, down
to 200' or so, with opinions that any self respecting pilot should
have no problem with a rope break at 200-300ft.

Gee, I have no problem getting higher than that on a well planned and
executed low pass, in everything from an ASK-21 and G-103 to an LS4 or
LS6.

So some of you guys are OK springing a sudden low altitude pattern on
a guy in training, but tell others that they shouldn't do low passes
at any time because they are "dangerous"?

You guys are hypocrites.

We soar because it's "fun". Nobody forces us to do it. For some, the
fun is in hanging around the airport in a 1-26 or 2-33, never out of
gliding range. Some enjoy bashing along the ridges in freezing
weather. Some like to see how high the wave will take them. Some
like to race against others, flying in marginal weather over marginal
terraing to see who is best. Some like pulling Gs.

None of it is necessary - we do it because we ENJOY doing it!

I enjoy pulling off a safe (yes, safe) low pass. I avoid getting into
a position where I intentionally try an unsafe low pass. The same can
be said about any other maneuver we do in gliders.

And I don't do it for you ******s on the ground who don't like them.
I do it for me, and my friends who enjoy the beauty of a skillfully
flown maneuver.

And you aint lived till you do a double formation low pass over an FAA
examiner...

He was cool about it!

Kirk
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