On Tuesday, January 21, 2014 10:20:52 PM UTC-7, wrote:
On Tuesday, January 21, 2014 7:22:55 PM UTC-8, Tim Taylor wrote:

How about this



1 mile finish ring at 500 Agl.



You miss it you get a 25 point penalty and -0.4 points per foot.



This would give a maximum of 225 points penalty. It gives plenty of incentive to stop and find lift.



Hi Tim,



Your proposal addresses the first objective of a minimum finish height/penalty, but not the second or third (see my earlier post). Maybe you are okay with that. The pilot survey (and this thread) reveals a wide range of views and preferences on the subject. There very well may be a better alternative out there, but with a bifurcated pilot population it will need to be something outside the box to bridge the gaps in what the community would like.. This discussion has exposed some potential new elements and preferences that I personally think might be worthy of further development.



Andy

Andy,

You are correct, I think points two and three are not needed and are part of a socialist conspiracy to reduce the participation in sailplane racing. It is a perfect example of over regulation that is just not needed. The concerns raised are all ready covered by giving the CD the right to assess penalties for unsafe flying. All the rest is just part of the sport and racing.

Most racing pilots have clearly spoken that they feel it is fundamental unfair to make it home and not be given credit for completing the task. A simple rule that sets the minimum height (I prefer one mile and 500 feet, plenty of height to fly a pattern) and a gradated penalty to the ground where you still get speed points. It is simple and and meets the KISS rule. Anything more and we are back into convoluted rules.

If you personally feel you need more margins please fly them for yourselves but don't try to regulate the rest of us to fly by your minimums. Just because we can make a rules does not mean we need to.

Tim