Rearranging the Deck Chairs on the Titanic (was: US 2008 CompetitionFacts)

I responded at length to UH's posting because I was concerned I had
communicated the wrong message. My response to some of the latest
postings is pretty short, however. I've been flying competition since
1968. I consider myself to be a serious competitor even though the
results don't always show it. My glider is definitely NOT
expendable. Nor do I think contest flying is dangerous. There are
risks, certainly. But if I thought they were significant, I wouldn't
fly. Publishing these kinds of statements serves only to increase the
divide between contest pilots and those who might think of trying it
but are put off by the perception that it's dangerous or insular or
just too difficult. I think the Rules Committee does a superb job of
considering the safety aspects of every decision they make.

Chip Bearden
ASW 24 "JB"
USA

wrote:
I responded at length to UH's posting because I was concerned I had
communicated the wrong message. My response to some of the latest
postings is pretty short, however. I've been flying competition since
1968. I consider myself to be a serious competitor even though the
results don't always show it. My glider is definitely NOT
expendable. Nor do I think contest flying is dangerous. There are
risks, certainly. But if I thought they were significant, I wouldn't
fly. Publishing these kinds of statements serves only to increase the
divide between contest pilots and those who might think of trying it
but are put off by the perception that it's dangerous or insular or
just too difficult. I think the Rules Committee does a superb job of
considering the safety aspects of every decision they make.

Chip Bearden
ASW 24 "JB"
USA
Indeed - Contests are not dangerous. Pilots are dangerous.

If you fly within your limits as fast and as well as you are safe to do,
flying in a contest is actually lower risk than less organised XC. There
is excellent weather, professional tasking, and close following of your
whereabouts.

I am seldom anywhere near the front, but FAI club class is great fun -
and if your contest scorer is good you know where you stand by the time
the last to land has a second drink in his or her hand. Of course the
website score is occasionally wrong for days...

The "kindergarten" class is a great place to learn to fly better,
without getting in peoples way. I will probably never win even a day in
club class, but my flying improves , and I learn from every contest.

Unfortunately , as recent Grand Prix events have shown, it is dangerous
flying in extreme conditions, or at extreme limits. But the fact remains
that the pilot (generally) chooses the risk level.