From JP Stewart

Received the following from JP Stewart, a great up-coming pilot.
'GB'
..........................................

Jp Stewart


An email I sent to BRSS, if anyone can help I would be very appreciative...
"BRSS,

As some of you may know, I have been approached by the US Jr team captain about joining the team and to do so I need to fly two contests this year. School allows just two contests this year and one of which is R6S in Ohio next week. I regret to write this on such short notice but due to a rule prohibiting use of club equipment at contests and the fact that I am registered as well as accommodations and flights having been booked for my Dad I am mentally and financially committed to going. Does anyone have a glider or know of one that I could take to the contest in Ohio next week? Any information/help is greatly appreciated.

JP Stewart
askforplanes at gmail dot com
540-774-0995"

It is incredibly disappointing to see a talented young, motivated Jr pilot (should be treated like gold bullion by the US soaring community) treated like this by his own club. He is trying to gain enough experience to compete at an upcoming Jr Worlds. Then this...

From what I know, he has taken this "club" glider to the Caesar Creek camp last year, and to the Seminole Lake glider camp this March. All on his own dime.

The club "leadership?" has been telling him for many months that they are "working" on it in terms of getting him final approval all the while telling him it should not be a problem. Around 6 months I believe...

And now here we are, 2 days before the first practice day and they finally take the time to tell him "sorry kid, but we won't allow you to go." This after fully knowing that all arrangements (hotel, airfare, work schedules, registration, etc) have been made.

This is the kind of thing that makes a Jr Pilot take up another sport. Shameful.

Thanks for posting this Gary. This is the kind of thing that needs to be brought out into the open.

On Thursday, June 6, 2013 12:05:25 PM UTC-4, Sean F (F2) wrote:
It is incredibly disappointing to see a talented young, motivated Jr pilot (should be treated like gold bullion by the US soaring community) treated like this by his own club. He is trying to gain enough experience to compete at an upcoming Jr Worlds. Then this... From what I know, he has taken this "club" glider to the Caesar Creek camp last year, and to the Seminole Lake glider camp this March. All on his own dime. The club "leadership?" has been telling him for many months that they are "working" on it in terms of getting him final approval all the while telling him it should not be a problem. Around 6 months I believe... And now here we are, 2 days before the first practice day and they finally take the time to tell him "sorry kid, but we won't allow you to go." This after fully knowing that all arrangements (hotel, airfare, work schedules, registration, etc) have been made. This is the kind of thing that makes a Jr Pilot take up another sport. Shameful. Thanks for posting this Gary. This is the kind of thing that needs to be brought out into the open.

Unfortunate but we don't have all the facts so castigating BRSS, who has been hugely supportive of JP, doesn't seem to me to be appropriate.
I've reached out to one possible supporter to see if he can help JP.
We need individuals to help these young people. I've done it several times.
Hopefully more people will look for these opportunities and jump in to help..
UH

UH I will DEFINITELY help out with F2 once I get 7T insured and ready to go.. Count on that. That said, it is worth noting however that I have few youth pilots in MI or (for that matter) the entire great lakes region, unfortunately. It would be best if we had glider owners in the Jr pilots general area (or at his club who) helped out. At the end of the day there are VERY FEW young pilots in the USA with JP's dedication to becoming a contest soaring pilot.

But bottom line, this club's foot dragging, political crap has today absolutely screwed a promising young Jr Pilot (we have what, maybe 3-4 of them in the US right now? If that?) out of his first contest experience (completely planned, paid for including air-fare, etc) because they could not (or would not) make a decision and let the boy know the situation on his use of the glider in a timely manner.

There is no excuse for this kind of treatment of a preciously rare US Jr contest pilot. I'm sure they have been "supportive." But this contest flying has been the goal for JP all along. They ABSOLUTELY know/knew that at this "club." And here we are at the one yard line and they have essentially kicked JP and his family in the proverbial "balls" while saying (wink, wink) "sorry?" WTF? Are you kidding me?

There is a big difference between talking supportive and "being supportive!" Talk vs walk. If they were truly supportive they would not have waited until TWO DAYS before the contest to tell JP, "sorry pal, will get to this at some point in the future......wink, wink.... Maybe you can fly your RC glider this weekend instead? Give me a break people trying to defend this action by this club... They blew it. Perhaps even on purpose. 2 days before the event means almost no chance of making other arrangements. That's just awful.

This whole idea of supporting Jr. contest pilots in the US would stand a much higher chance of being successful if we had an official program thru the SSA that covered (some or all) insurance issues for the young pilots. I am willing to work on this if we can get enough pilots willing to do this kind of thing and make it worthwhile.

Oh, and by the way, I have just heard that a friend of JP has offered him his LS8! Fantastic and thank you whoever you are. You are my (our) hero today. JP just has to pay for the insurance which is $500 to fly in this contest (thanks to his club) but I imagine would allow him to fly for a year if the owner was willing.

Imagine how awful this weekend would have been for this poor kid if someone had not stepped up last minute and bailed this kid out. Even though I am sure this last minute change, needing to learning a completely new glider which JP has never flown before, going to pick up the glider, travel arrangements, etc is going to be a tremendous hassle for both JP and that generous and outstanding glider owner, it is far better than the situation his OWN CLUB put him in this morning.

Inexcusable! Shame on this club for doing this to JP today. Absolutely shameful. Low as it gets.

Sean
F2


On Thursday, June 6, 2013 1:41:00 PM UTC-4, wrote:
On Thursday, June 6, 2013 12:05:25 PM UTC-4, Sean F (F2) wrote:

It is incredibly disappointing to see a talented young, motivated Jr pilot (should be treated like gold bullion by the US soaring community) treated like this by his own club. He is trying to gain enough experience to compete at an upcoming Jr Worlds. Then this... From what I know, he has taken this "club" glider to the Caesar Creek camp last year, and to the Seminole Lake glider camp this March. All on his own dime. The club "leadership?" has been telling him for many months that they are "working" on it in terms of getting him final approval all the while telling him it should not be a problem. Around 6 months I believe... And now here we are, 2 days before the first practice day and they finally take the time to tell him "sorry kid, but we won't allow you to go." This after fully knowing that all arrangements (hotel, airfare, work schedules, registration, etc) have been made. This is the kind of thing that makes a Jr Pilot take up another sport. Shameful.. Thanks for posting this Gary. This is the kind of thing that needs to be brought out into the open.



Unfortunate but we don't have all the facts so castigating BRSS, who has been hugely supportive of JP, doesn't seem to me to be appropriate.

I've reached out to one possible supporter to see if he can help JP.

We need individuals to help these young people. I've done it several times.

Hopefully more people will look for these opportunities and jump in to help.

UH

Sean,
I understand how you feel, but you are not a BRSS member and should refrain from from accusing BRSS, it's Board and decisions they made based on our bylaws and operating rules. As Hank said, you do not have all the facts. Nor do I, but as a BRSS member I am standing up for our club.

I am confident that the issue will be resolved, maybe not in time for JP to fly our club's LS 4 or LS 6 in Ohio.
BRSS is committed to support young glider pilots and is encouraging and training XC and competition flying.

Until our rules are changed, watch out for JP flying PF, she runs and climbs like stink.

Peter
PF

On Thursday, June 6, 2013 6:35:40 PM UTC-4, PapaFox wrote:
Sean, I understand how you feel, but you are not a BRSS member and should refrain from from accusing BRSS, it's Board and decisions they made based on our bylaws and operating rules. As Hank said, you do not have all the facts. Nor do I, but as a BRSS member I am standing up for our club. I am confident that the issue will be resolved, maybe not in time for JP to fly our club's LS 4 or LS 6 in Ohio. BRSS is committed to support young glider pilots and is encouraging and training XC and competition flying. Until our rules are changed, watch out for JP flying PF, she runs and climbs like stink.. Peter PF

BRSS members are covering the added cost of insurance so there will be no additional costs for JP.
Thanks Peter for continuing your excellent support of JP.
UH

When I read JP's note, I imagined something like "The club's insurance provider demanded a 'no contests in club equipment' rule in the club bylaws... and they aren't flexible about it"

Let's give the BRSS leadership the benefit of the doubt on this one. My guess is that they are both competent and supportive of JP in general, but hit an external obstacle they couldn't get around. It happens. It is unfortunate, not shameful.

Cheers,
-Mark Rebuck

On Thursday, June 6, 2013 3:52:46 PM UTC-4, wrote:
When I read JP's note, I imagined something like "The club's insurance provider demanded a 'no contests in club equipment' rule in the club bylaws... and they aren't flexible about it"



Let's give the BRSS leadership the benefit of the doubt on this one. My guess is that they are both competent and supportive of JP in general, but hit an external obstacle they couldn't get around. It happens. It is unfortunate, not shameful.



Cheers,

-Mark Rebuck

Mark, that's not it. Even if it was, they waited until 2 DAYS before the contest to get and/or deliver that answer to JP and his family?

Give me a break.

If JP were my kid, he would find this discussion to be extremely embarrassing. Help the kid find a glider now. Postpone 'Spanish Inquisition II' at least until after the race.

If I had a glider contest ready I would be happy to loan it to JP... Unfortunately my Libelle is in the middle of a panel renovation.

I have long believed it is necessary to start an organization to make gliders available to talented juniors. I think we could get a couple gliders donated as "retirements" from soaring increase.

Please contact me at first name dot last name at gmail if you are interested in starting such an organization. I would be willing to help lead this up and put in the the first cash donation.

2C