The case that folks are making regarding high converging speeds are in clouds streets, wave and ridge lift. Theses are predictable situations that are easily handled by the FLARM algorithm. In the worse case scenario, 10-15 seconds is plenty of time to alter course to avoid a mid-air

The argument that a radio call to a known ID is the best course of action is false. The best way to avoid a mid-air is to turn to avoid the danger using predetermined right-of-way rules, not to establish radio communication and coordinate a plan.

Lastly, good glider pilots don't stumble into saves. They know where the lift is likely to be. They manage risk to get there with altitude to use it and have a back up plan. Some people are good at this and others are not as good. The score sheet should reflect this fact. The rules should ensure the integrity of the sport and keep it the adventure it was always supposed to be - not water it down. You'd attract a lot more people to the sport by having soaring heroes like we used to have rather than trying to placate everyone's desire to make it home for dinner.

XC


I don't think that's the issue people are raising. The only way you get a warning from Flarm is if the glider is on an intersecting track within a fairly narrow "uncertainty cone". It is only valid over any distance for gliders that don't maneuver. As we all know that is rarely the case - glider maneuver all the time.

The issue is that a glider that hooks a turnpoint or leaves a thermal or otherwise changes course can go from being invisible to a threat at a distance that is roughly 10-15 seconds away from impact.

The RC is aware of this shortcoming and is engaging with the IGC and Flarm to ensure that course changes cannot generate surprise threats without proper IDs (remember, a radio call to a known Contest ID to coordinate evasive action is the best practice in head-to-head scenarios). It is particularly an issue for high-altitude, high speed street flying that is common in the US west and other places where converging speeds can top 350 MPH. At 2km for Flarm stealth mode this is a 12 seconds of warning. Most pilots who fly under these conditions use longer range situational awareness to avoid conflicts rather than having to react with very little time to: 1) identify and orient the threat, 2) determine the best course of action, 3) raise the other glider on the radio by Contest Number - or worse, Flarm ID (who memorizes theirs?), 4) coordinate an evasive maneuver that isn't "you zig, I zag".. Ask the guys that fly the convergence and strong streets out west all the time. Less than a minute to do all that concerns them - deeply. I asked them and got their feedback.

Also, I don't think if you ask the guys in the middle of the scoresheet they'd be super wild about deliberately creating more landouts (and everything that goes with that in terms of hassle and the odd insurance claim) out of some sense that missing a thermal on a random glide that someone who flew 1/16 of a mile to the east stumbled into for a save somehow is more valid.. Mostly we devalue contests with landouts because we think landouts are an indicator of less valid conditions. In fact we polled people and they said what they think.

But that's another discussion about philosophy. :-)

9B