On Mar 1, 9:10*am, Andrzej Kobus wrote:
On Mar 1, 10:14*am, Mike the Strike wrote:









*Instead of all the over-complex technology arguments it would be

much simpler for the competition director to state a maximum flying
altitude for the day based on forecast cloud-base altitudes. *This could be
say 500' below the lowest expected cloud-base on task. *The obvious
objection that this would prevent pilots from fully exploiting conditions
is no more valid that banning cloud flying in the first place - it is
simply one more constraint to add to the many that competition pilots
expect.

As the guy who forecasts weather, including cloud-base height, at
quite a few contests in the US west, I am afraid the idea of a "
declared contest cloud-base" (akin to contest sunset) is not really
workable. *We experience wide variability of cloud base, depending on
may factors, including time-of-day and location. *I have flown under
clouds on one side of a mountain and over them on the other! *I am
also unwilling to restrict altitude for pilots flying in mountainous
terrain, where an extra 500 feet can make the difference between
clearing a ridge and whacking into it.

I do fly at least part of most contest tasks as an observer and to
validate my forecasts. *It is in this role that I have observed what
you might call "unsportsmanlike" flying. *So far, I haven't reported
any infractions to the CD, but a few observations have found their way
into my morning weather briefings.

Maybe it's time to have a few referees flying with the competitors?

Mike

Are you saying people already fly in the clouds?

Let's just say that rules maintaining minimum separation from clouds
as mandated by Federal Aviation Regulations are frequently broken in
contests and virtually impossible to police.

As I have previously also said, it is very easy to do in areas with
strong thermals (and happens to me as well). In a ten-knot thermal,
you are climbing at close to 1,000 feet a minute and half a turn will
take you from legal cloud clearance to too close. Folks flying in
typical northern European or eastern US conditions may find this hard
to believe, but those who fly in hot places (Western US, South Africa,
Namibia and Australia) will know what I mean.

Mike