On Saturday, January 9, 2016 at 11:14:07 AM UTC-6, Dan Marotta wrote:
Hi Kirk,



Yes, I've towed you during at least one contest at Moriarty and I've
admired your LS-6.



Please understand that I don't "poo-poo" Flarm in my comments, I
only respond to the comments of some, which I believe are
unreasonable or downright wrong.* I always welcome logical proofs
like the math-based analysis of the pull-up (in a previous thread).



And yes, I think Flarm is a great tool for situational awareness but
I don't think that knowing a blip's ID is a requirement for safety.*
And I'm neither for nor against "stealth" mode - I don't care either
way.* The idea of coordinating an escape plan with another aircraft
5 miles away by radio is simply ludicrous.* Remember when contests
were fully manned and there was no Flarm or GPS?* I'm not against
either, as a lot of the folks here think, but I think a lot of the
fun has gone and that's the main reason I don't fly contests any
more.



So why do I keep posting?* It's out of a genuine concern that false
perceptions, unchallenged, will eventually become policy, and I
don't want any more policies.


Dan, by all means keep on posting - we need some grown-up input here now and then! But seriously, I haven't been convinced by any of the pro-stealth arguments. I would argue we should go the other way - full tracking of ALL contestants, shown in the cockpit, and let everyone share the info from all.. This may come from my sailing experience (racing Lasers), where you are immersed in the fleet, know who the hot shots are, and can see who is benefiting from wind changes, lulls, etc - all of which makes the race a much more involving event, and from my dislike of "OLC racing", which I find pretty boring (aside from not being racing in the real sense, IMO).

But then, I like the company of other gliders when I race - I must be channeling some residual Red Flag memories ;^).

Cheers,

Kirk
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