I figured that weak-assed remark would get someone going. Let me try to tone it down and explain myself. Rules that drive racing pilots to a successful strategy of group-flying the task weaken the attractiveness and the meaningfulness of the sport.

In 34 years of flying gliders, I've scared myself a few times. I never thought the sport was hugely dangerous. If I did, I wouldn't be doing it and I wouldn't have let my daughter sign up for the club.

There are dangers though and the risk of midairs is one of them. I think we can agree midair collisions not the greatest risk in soaring. FLARM was developed along with a stealth mode to be used in competition. The system works pretty well based on our experience at Harris Hill and contests in Europe when it comes to reducing the risk of midairs while not encouraging group flying.

I still think the concerns about SA are overstated especially since the competition mode discussion is thinking about 5 km which is quite a bit given the slow speeds we fly and the fact that collision warnings are not included in this limit. I still don't see the a legitimate reason for displaying contest numbers other than following. The loudest opponents of FLARM with stealth or competition mode have never tried it.

Yes, think people are being dogmatic about this idea that all technology is good for our sport. Folks need to think a little more critically and that means deciding on a framework that provides a context for decision making about the future of the sport. Not just all technology is good and leading us in the right direction or the only direction.

So I'm sorry I set you off, Sean, with that weak-assed remark. I'm growing tired of this whole discussion and I guess it shows. Your a good pilot and will probably represent us on the US Team some day soon. Have been selected? I don't even know. Good luck to you either way. I hope you win the whole thing. My concern is that when you are crowned the national or world champion it won't be as meaningful as it once was because no one able to preserve the valued aspects of the sport.


XC

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