I was simply putting out an interesting video of an 18 yr. old kid doing a minimal energy, final glide into a rolling finish. Clearly this video is highly relevant to this thread.

I am a surprised that more RC supporters did not comment on the safety connotations of this kids final glide since it is clearly deemed unsafe and bad behavior by the RC. I am also surprised that more supporters of no MFH and less severe of a penalty did not comment in support of this kids exciting finish as what they want to do at their next contest.

I'll ask some questions this time around: Was this kids final glide decision safe or unsafe? Is successfully pulling off this kind of low finish fun or too risky? Is it a good thing for the sport of soaring or is it a bad thing? Is it good for soaring in the USA? Is it good for growing US contest participation or bad? Etc.

Here are some more "good" (US illegal) final glides:

1) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZpRbg80kis

2) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZxvYMC2QvI

3) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-xOZ2luGZA

Sean

On Sunday, January 26, 2014 4:42:50 PM UTC-5, kirk.stant wrote:
On Sunday, January 26, 2014 1:52:11 PM UTC-6, Sean F (F2) wrote:

Wow. That sure shut everyone up.....



What's your point?



Without context, that was either a perfectly judged final glide, or a really lucky rolling finish.



I've done both in the past, and squeakers are no fun, but they sure can be exhilarating! And tend to make you come in really high the next time!



And since he was over landable fields all the way in, how was this dangerous? At most places in US, this would be stupid, and wouldn't be worth the risk.



So - wanna be safe, stay high. Wanna take a chance, how much of a safety pad do you want? Too low, you are the PIC, you make the decision - land out safely, because breaking a glider is guaranteed to lose you the contest!



Don't like having to make tough decisions about final glides in order to win? Funny, I thought we were talking about racing...



Kirk

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