Changes to USA Nationals System

I agree there are problems with the current FAI Class Nationals in the
US, but what I see mostly is that they're too small and, hence, it's
sometimes difficult to find hosts for all of them. Thirty years ago it
wasn't unusual to have 50 or 60 pilots in a 15M or Standard Class
Nationals. A few years ago, we had 22 for the Standard Class at
Uvalde, one of the best racing sites in the US. Many of us used to
agonize over the seeding list to make sure we qualified each year for
the Nationals. Now the only time the seeding list is relevant is at a
few popular regionals such as Perry, Parowan, New Casle, and Mifflin.
Those have become super regionals even without the incentive of higher
seeding.

I already have the flexibility to go to a "local" national contest
nearly every year. I own an ASW 24, still competitive in the Standard
Class. I can also fly Sports Class. This year I chose Standard Class
at Cordele (east) over Sports Class at Montegue (west). Next year I'll
have to choose between Sports (Elmira) and Standard (Montegue). I've
also flown in 15 Meter contests: modern Standard Class gliders are
very close to 15M gliders in the east. Pilots with Standard Class
airplanes with 18M tips have another option, though pure 18M gliders
have an advantage. I even flew one Open Class Nationals (competitive
on strong days when my wing loading and maneuverability were higher;
less so when it got weak and pure glide ratio was important).

I agree we're suffering from class proliferation. But the 1-26 and
World Classes don't really dilute participation in the other classes.
Given the prices of new gliders, it's difficult to contemplate
disenfranchising anyone by eliminating one or more classes.

Chip Bearden
ASW 24 "JB"
USA