Motorgliders on OLC?

On Monday, April 29, 2013 10:13:48 AM UTC-5, 4Z wrote:
On Apr 29, 8:30*am, Waveguru wrote: I would like to see how many points the motorglider guys would end up scoring if their motor was rendered unavailable after launch. * A friend of mine couldn't get his motor started one day, so he took an aero tow, and his flying was much different that day. *It's just not the same when you know you can crank up that iron thermal an motor home any time you want. It's definitely not a level playing field. Boggs Boy, there's a troll if I ever heard one. I disagree. That's as much of a nibble as you're going to get out of me.. You should know better Gary.

probably no more of an advantage than a pilot who has a crew ready and willing to come get them if they land out.

perhaps OLC needs a "crewless" category

On Monday, April 29, 2013 11:25:14 AM UTC-4, Tony wrote:
On Monday, April 29, 2013 10:13:48 AM UTC-5, 4Z wrote:

On Apr 29, 8:30*am, Waveguru wrote: I would like to see how many points the motorglider guys would end up scoring if their motor was rendered unavailable after launch. * A friend of mine couldn't get his motor started one day, so he took an aero tow, and his flying was much different that day. *It's just not the same when you know you can crank up that iron thermal an motor home any time you want. It's definitely not a level playing field. Boggs Boy, there's a troll if I ever heard one. I disagree. That's as much of a nibble as you're going to get out of me. You should know better Gary.



probably no more of an advantage than a pilot who has a crew ready and willing to come get them if they land out.



perhaps OLC needs a "crewless" category

I owned a PIK20E for a few years. I took huge risks that I wouldn't have without the motor (as far as landing out, and some stupid ones also). I learned more about XC soaring than I did in 20 years. You have to commit to a airport or a good field at a higher altitude than without a motor, and the glider climbed slow in weak conditions. I definitely fly more conservative (as far as risking landing out) without a motor. In competition a motor is probably not as much of an advantage because of the higher altitude commitment for landing out. But, for recreational flying it sure was nice.

Ed

Yes, I was hoping to start a discussion. If that's trolling, then I guess I'm guilty as charged. I do think it is not even close to the same thing psychologically. There is a BIG difference between cranking up the motor, as opposed to landing In a field, and having a crew come and get you. Landing out is a much bigger deterrent, and keeps us from stretching as far as we might if we had a motor. I saw it clearly in my buddy that couldn't get his motor to start, and had to take a tow. And how many of us fly with a "crew" waiting to come and get us? I think I would look forward to landing out if I had Ramy's beautiful wife to come and get me!...

Flame retardant ready...

Boggs