On Tuesday, November 3, 2020 at 7:41:15 AM UTC-5, Roy B. wrote:
I thought it might be fun (and healthy) to start a poll or discussion for the guys and gals who have been in the sport for + 25 years or more. So, my question for those people is : "What is the biggest change you have seen in the sport over the years you have participated?"

For me, the biggest change was the widespread adoption of GPS - which changed everything about flight recording, contests, contest tasking and badge flying. Second place goes to the newer trailers which are so much better than what we struggled with in the old days. Third place might be OLC . . .
What do you think?

ROY

I think I would say loss of availability of flying sites at reasonable distance to population areas.
The ability to mow the grass on Saturday morning and go gliding in the afternoon has been significantly reduced.
Fewer sites- fewer contact nodes- reduced exposure- reduced training- reduced number of active pilots.
As for as contest flying I would say that tasking and contest organizations have evolved to adapt to crewless pilots being almost the norm.
FWIW
UH