Video from Day 1 of Region 4 North 2012

Jim,

I did see this particular pilot coming basically all the way from the thermal behind me, a small gaggle maybe 4 miles back. I certainly do not see all of them, but in this case I saw him coming. I think he saw me, but its much easier to be aggressive when you have energy and can pick your spot to pull up in the circling gliders thermal. To him it probably felt fine. But for me I feel like a sitting duck as you do not know for sure if the guy see's you. If you keep going with your turn and loose sight, and he does not see me, the next thing I hear might be a massive bang. Scary stuff.

The FLARM warning was impressive in this case (as it usually is)! I am also blessed with 20/10 vision and a fairly intense desire to use it to the best of its ability.

In terms of vision obstructions, believe it or not, none of the equipment (FLARM portable, Nano or camera's) on the top of the panel are outside the panel or canopy structure from a viewing perspective. The Flarm is just touching it although the antenna's are in the canopy a bit. I have a long torso and my head is right at the top of the glider. Of course the PDA and a bit of the Colibri II obstruct some view for sure. Mainly the PDA.

Thanks for your input. I fully expect potential criticism. I have very thick skin. Its the best way to learn. For example, I received an email pointing out that I had a heavy left foot within minutes of posting the video for example!

A few more video's will be coming out of the next couple weeks.

Best,

Sean

Thanks all for the thoughts. I think this is good stuff for people to see. Fun fun sport! Amazing!!!

For me its just a matter of learning what to expect and trying to get a bit more comfortable with lots of traffic. Rules of the road stuff.

On FLARM I am not sure I ever get the clock dial screen for some reason. But the threat on the screen was red and the Flarm was beeping at full volume. It was definitely what I would call a collision warning but maybe I am missing something. I know I have the latest software. But it is a portable and not a brick. Anyway, I thought I would clarify.

Best,

Sean

Looks to me that at about 4:28 in the video the situation is much too close for comfort: a glider is taking over from behind. He looks much closer than the other mentioned glider. The other pilot can not see our pilot since the fuselage in on the way. Our pilot can't see him since he is coming from behind. One small pull up or push over and.....
The other pilot must have tightened his turn to get into the center better, but shouldn't have done that close to our pilot.
Dan G

Am 01.11.2012 02:25, Sean F (F2) wrote:
...
On FLARM I am not sure I ever get the clock dial screen for some reason. But the threat on the screen was red and the Flarm was beeping at full volume. It was definitely what I would call a collision warning but maybe I am missing something. I know I have the latest software. But it is a portable and not a brick. Anyway, I thought I would clarify.

Best,

Sean


When you have NOT set "competion mode" (which is different from "stealth
mode") you'll get early warnings from FLARM: Beeps without the clock
dial. This is probably what you got. To my knowledge the volume is not
adjusted to the warning level, it is always constant.
--
Peter Scholz
ASW24 JE

Thanks Peter. Ill take a look at it with that info.

On Thursday, November 1, 2012 3:15:06 AM UTC-4, Peter Scholz wrote:
Am 01.11.2012 02:25, Sean F (F2) wrote:

...

On FLARM I am not sure I ever get the clock dial screen for some reason.. But the threat on the screen was red and the Flarm was beeping at full volume. It was definitely what I would call a collision warning but maybe I am missing something. I know I have the latest software. But it is a portable and not a brick. Anyway, I thought I would clarify.



Best,



Sean





When you have NOT set "competion mode" (which is different from "stealth

mode") you'll get early warnings from FLARM: Beeps without the clock

dial. This is probably what you got. To my knowledge the volume is not

adjusted to the warning level, it is always constant.

--

Peter Scholz

ASW24 JE