On Sunday, December 9, 2012 6:35:28 PM UTC-5, wrote:
John, gaggle flying happens mostly in AT and weak days. With the RC proposal AT will happen next year with both lower and higher handicap range gliders flying US Rules in Mifflin. So in that respect you can expect more gaggle flying next year with current RC proposal.

An FAI rules based class in Mifflin will have no increased gaggling than what is currently proposed. No matter which rules are applied gaggle flying before the start is unavoidable. I have flow FAI and US Rule based contests. My biggest gaggle flying experience by far was under US Rules. BTW, I have flown four FAI contests and never seen anyone make a red line start..

It's a common US perception that FAI contest = extreme gaggle, unsafe and aggressive flying. This myth is perpetuated by those trying to keep simpler, common sense FAI Rules out of the US.

We are trying to accomplish three goals with FAI rules:
1. Narrow handicap range
2. AT and AAT only
3. IGC scoring

All are 100% compatible in Mifflin.

Sean Franke (HA)

Sean,

I don’t doubt your description, but I think your experience at the Worlds was atypical. All accounts I’ve read about flying in the Worlds have mentioned the huge on-course gaggles. Also, one of the RC members believes that the large on-course gaggle strategy is a direct result of the FAI rules themselves.

I’ve flown at Mifflin in a variety of weather conditions, and the largest on-course gaggle I’ve been in was 5 gliders. I flew at another contest site where every day I’d be in on-course gaggles of 20+ gliders. I didn’t enjoy it, and although I can deal with it if required, I’m not anxious to fly in another contest where such large on-course gaggles might be likely.

If your petition to the SSA succeeds, please make sure to ask those pilots flying in traditional Sports Class at Mifflin 2013 if they want to fly in the first mixed rule competition.

-John