The below is one solution however the concept of a
finish line was around long before loggers could accurately
report height, time and position. We use the logger
to check that the max start height is observed so why
not a minimum finish height. People could still dash
for the line at vne if that is what turns them on but
by setting a minimum finish height at least the organisers
could set a safety margin. The minimum height could
be set to the ability of the least experienced pilot
which would help to avoid the peer pressure aspect
of very low finishes.

You can only ever equal the low flying record.

I do know that the above will be a very unpopular view
with certain people and that I will be accused of taking
the fun out of the sport, however if that saves just
one life it will be worth it.

At 21:00 02 May 2005, Thomas Knauff wrote:
Accidents have ocurred when a pilot performs a high
speed, low level finish
along the centerline of the runway, or over the airport,
then fails to
control the aircraft properly and crashes. In some
cases, these displays
have influenced other pilots who do not have the experience
or skills to
perform a similar maneuver safely.

To discourage unsafe finishes, would moving the finish
line to the side of
the runway so the finish occurs essentially on the
downwind leg, so a pilot
would then only need to make essentially a 180 degree
turn onto final
approach help?

A contest site could have finish lines to accommodate
tasks finishing from
any direction - only one would be specified according
to the wind direction
of the day.

In some cases, there may be reasons not to do this
of course.

Comments?

--
Thomas Knauff
Knauff & Grove Soaring Supplies
www.eglider.org