Neanderthat vs. Wuss Gate

Todd,

We run tasks at our club every weekend for anywhere from three to a
dozen pilots at a time. Even with local pilots added to the mix, it
doesn't even come close to simulating the contest environment, where
pilots tend to cluster as part of their competitive strategy.

It's a placebo, and a dangerous on at that. And while I have a
preference for the finish line, for a host of reasons, the very lack of
regulation in the cylinder finish makes me question its perceived
"safety."

JJ's concern was over proximity to persons and strucutres... no
difference, save the descending heavy is less controlable than the high
energy glider. As for "pattern roulette," dogmatic monikers don't
change the fact that competent pilots function well in the environment,
as has been proven again and again for decades. Where problems arise is
when unschooled pilots start imposing their poor judgement, generally
creating a world of hurt for themselves and occasionally others. My
argument, and I think it is a valid one, is that moving that poor
judgement a mile away from the airport doesn't solve any problems. It
simply makes them less obvious to casual observers. And the fact that
there appear to be so many theories purporting to explain the dynamics
of the finish cylinder indicates that this hasn't been particularly
well thought out either.

As an example, I can state without hesitation that inserting yourself
into the pattern after a finish with half a dozen other gliders is much
easier than joining the same number low in a weak thermal and
maintaining safe separation while maximizing climb. That is hard work,
and it's done with very few options for maneuvering should a member of
the gaggle decide to do something untoward. Or if someone else enters
who lacks skills or depth perception.

wrote:
snip
My
argument, and I think it is a valid one, is that moving that poor
judgement a mile away from the airport doesn't solve any problems.
snip

My point is that moving that poor judgement UP 500-1000 ft DOES help
solve problems.

Todd

At 00:30 17 March 2005, Toad wrote:

My point is that moving that poor judgement UP 500-1000
ft DOES help
solve problems.

Todd

My experience is it introduces about as many as it
solves: mixed traffic between the cylinder edge and
the airport, re-sequencing of traffic from finish to
pattern entry, potential for low altitude thermalling
to make the 500 (or 1000) foot limit, ballistic pullups
below stall speed for the same reason, mixed finish
techniques leading to conflicts (pull-up or press on).
That's just the ones that have happened so far. Of
course none whould have happened had the pilots involved
exercised better judgement.

On the proximity issue, keep in mind that a low energy
finish on a 500' cylinder will have you less than 500'
from whatever you're flying over prior to entering
the landing pattern and therefore at least as much
in violation of any relevant FARs as a gate finisher.
My view after reading the regs is they both are legal.

Of course we cold solve all of this AND address the
15-minute rule if we just made the rules read that
you have to finish no lower than you start. Now THAT
would spice things up.

9B

Andy Blackburn wrote:
Of course we cold solve all of this AND address the
15-minute rule if we just made the rules read that
you have to finish no lower than you start. Now THAT
would spice things up.

This, I like 8^)