2000 ft is a little high ;-), but (based on the discussion within this thread) we definitely need to consider moving MFH and any hard deck up to just above a mutually agreed "safe circling altitude." This minimum acceptable safe circling altitude is the key. I think we all agree that any finish height rule is absolutely going to cause a certain subset of pilots to instinctively try and save their points just outside the distance barrier and just below the penalty altitude.

1200 feet AGL is probably the right MFH (with graduated penalties down to 1000 AGL) as a stall spin is PROBABLY recoverable from 800 - 900 feet in most gliders. This is where the gliders "caught" by this rule will be "doing their dance!"

At 18 meter nationals last summer (due to the nature of the finishes and the lack of acceptable landing options surrounding the airfield) the MFH was moved up mid contest. There was luke warm debate although the CD managed the discussion very eloquently. Ultimately, a vote was taken and the result was in favor of raising the MFH. I think it was moved from 700 to 800 AGL.. It might have been higher. I do not remember.

1200 ft, is only 400 above 18m Nationals last summer. Clearly, it offers a greater cushion should the unthinkable happen and someone spins...

Of course, the other alternative is simply to remove this rule altogether and just allow the pilots to make their own choices. It is a quite a pickle....

Personally, I am open to both options. What I don't really like is the current rule which results in gliders circling below 700 ft and in some cases below 500 just prior to arrival at the finish location.

Sean
F2

On Wednesday, January 22, 2014 9:18:32 AM UTC-5, Andrew Brayer wrote:
Could we please just raise the finish height to 2000 feet and get it over with? i'll just do contest style finishes when i'm not at contests.



having made my sarcastic remark, I do appreciate the efforts to make this sport safer. the problem is you cannot prevent accidents universally, this is aviation and racing combined. Instead we need to encourage pilots to make safe decisions rather than trying to protect everyone by implementing rules.



my two cents.