On Tuesday, January 21, 2014 5:17:10 PM UTC-8, wrote:

Also worth pointing out, the old rule only addressed the first objective, not the second or third. The new rule addresses the first and second, but not the third. Adding a 500' hard deck for 5+ miles around the finish (either to the current rule or some steeply graduated variation) would address the first two plus mitigate the third quite a bit because you'd push the problem out so far that any pilot who is facing it is already in a landout situation. Not sure the pilot community is supportive of a hard deck, even a small one around the finish, but I'd be curious to know if it's viewed as worth it in order to reduce the low thermalling temptation.


A correction - the 5 mi/500' hard deck would not necessarily require a steeply graduated penalty above 500'. You can allow a modest penalty gradient for the entire distance between 500' and MFH, not just the first 200'.

You probably want the hard deck out at least 5 miles so even the most optimistic pilot who reaches the top edge of the deck will already know (s)he's not making the airport.

9B