Attention US Standard Class Pilots

I think we are caught between a rock and hard place regarding participation in the Standard Class Nationals. I personally don’t want to open it up with a handicap system, but practicality needs to be addressed. I am modestly in favor of it because I don’t want to see the STD Class Nats disappear..

The competition pilot pool is relatively stagnate (and aging). Prior comments on traveling to competition sites, vacation limitations, family situations have already been addressed. Younger people just don’t have the same interest in aviation that we did. They are involved in other fun things to do. Fewer are becoming glider pilots and only a small percentage will become competition pilots.

The reality is, competition pilots in the US have moved to higher performance ships. Not withstanding a handful of top US pilots who remained in STD, the bulk of the elite and upper tier competition pilots have migrated to 15 M years ago. Now, we see these pilots moving to 18 meter. Many are equipped with the ASG 29, which can allow huge flexibility on which contest to enter (Sports, 15M, 18M, and Open). A quick FAA inquiry shows a 2 to 1 ratio of Ventus 2's and ASW 27/ASG29's to LS8's and Discus 2's. New Discus 2's or LS8's entering this country are almost at a standstill. With most of the competition pilots favoring 15M or higher performance gliders, the pilot pool for STD class is dwindling fast. Then, to exacerbate the problem, we have overlapping competitions dates that eliminate some potential STD entries.

What is the long term answer? I really don’t know. I suspect anything will be a band-aid. Perhaps handicap the Standard Class. Have more contests in the middle of the US for easier access to pilots. How about specific sites for competitions? No overlapping dates. For example, Sports Class at Parowan, STD at Hobbs, Open at Uvalde, etc. Easier said than done. This may, I say may, increase participation, but it has a host of inherent problems. I fear this downward spiral won’t end anytime soon.