Another new Soaring Article

not a competition pilot, yet.

what would the problems be with defining a start and finish similar to
that used for FAI badges and records? perhaps not a 1 km sector but
maybe just use an unlimited altitude cylinder. whenever you leave the
cylinder last is your start, and whenever you re-enter the cylinder is
your finish, but you must finish within 1000 m vertically of the
start.

On May 13, 10:13*am, Tony wrote:
not a competition pilot, yet.

what would the problems be with defining a start and finish similar to
that used for FAI badges and records? *perhaps not a 1 km sector but
maybe just use an unlimited altitude cylinder. *whenever you leave the
cylinder last is your start, and whenever you re-enter the cylinder is
your finish, but you must finish within 1000 m vertically of the
start.

Tony, imagine a weak day, with a few good thermals, and 40 gliders
launching. First glider launches, finds a good thermal, starts slowly
climbing. An hour later, the last glider launches and starts looking
for lift - down at 2000' agl. 15 minutes later, the gate opens, and
the first glider, having worked his way up to 6000', starts. Last
Guy, meanwhile, is still struggling at 2500'. An hour later, he
finally starts... The idea of the altitude limit is to give everyone
an equal chance to get up after launch and get setup to start.
Otherwise, grid position can win the day!

Kirk
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