On Tuesday, April 21, 2020 at 8:29:57 AM UTC-7, Bob Youngblood wrote:
On Tuesday, April 21, 2020 at 7:29:09 AM UTC-4, Roy B. wrote:
Kristian:
I think that you are correct about the world records - but more pilots (who cannot afford to go to Namibia or Argentina) are interested in national records for their country - and in those countries the difference between 18m and 27m is important.

And on your last point, "I would actually like to acknowledge records made with pure glider. Now there is a difference" I agree completely. With a motor available, it is a different sport.

Best regards
ROY

With a motor available it is an entirely different approach to sticking your neck out on a limb. Many times I cross the state and late in the afternoon must combat a headwind and declining conditions. I get back home, close my triangle and sit down and have a cold brew! Have I ever not made it back home, YES. Not to knock the guys and gals with motorgliders, although I do poke a bit of fun at them over the radio. I will call on the radio and ask if any of you guys at Seminole are flying your motorgliders? They usually laugh and say yes, they do have a good sense of humor!

"With a motor available it is an entirely different approach to sticking your neck out on a limb." I find that pilots who believe this are nearly all ones who do not frequently (if ever) fly cross country in a motorglider, and are therefore speaking from ignorance. Sticking your neck out on a limb by depending on a motor is self limiting activity as even many time world champions have recently found out. It is a convenience, not a safety tool. As a convenience does it contribute to longer flights? It can, because the inconvenience of a retrieve is less of a consideration. So if you want your record attempts to be convenient and easy, either buy a motorglider or hire a full retrieve crew (the latter will cost you less).

I have asked this before without response: produce an example of a record owned by a motorglider that was achieved by flying too low over unlandable terrain. If you cannot, then you have no argument.

That should get this thread well hijacked! :-)