World Championship gliders

On Wednesday, August 6, 2014 10:43:42 AM UTC-6, Tom Knauff wrote:
I suppose this subject must have been posted before, however, as I review the world championship daily results, it is obvious the smaller fuselage models have a distinct advantage over gliders many average to larger size pilots are obliged to fly.



A smaller fuselage means each wing length is longer. Of course, the wetted area of the smaller fuselage is also significantly less.



Perhaps the rules need to limit the length of each wing rather than the wing span.



Those pilots of typical average size will always be at a measurable disadvantage, and this is a discouraging factor to those who might be interested in participating in competition flying.



I wonder if racing canoes in the Olympics are permitted to be smaller for smaller people?



Tom Knauff

It's the Indian, not the Arrow!!
Glen

Hi Glen, I agree but only to a point. Its a bummer knowing that you are in a glider that is "slightly" less performance than the others. For example, if a guy in a a model beats a b model in a contest by 1 point, does he really feel that he has won? Or a 29 vs a 27 in 15m? Is the 29 better?

One design would level this and make a better sport of it!

On Thursday, August 7, 2014 7:54:50 AM UTC-4, glen wrote:
On Wednesday, August 6, 2014 10:43:42 AM UTC-6, Tom Knauff wrote:

I suppose this subject must have been posted before, however, as I review the world championship daily results, it is obvious the smaller fuselage models have a distinct advantage over gliders many average to larger size pilots are obliged to fly.







A smaller fuselage means each wing length is longer. Of course, the wetted area of the smaller fuselage is also significantly less.







Perhaps the rules need to limit the length of each wing rather than the wing span.







Those pilots of typical average size will always be at a measurable disadvantage, and this is a discouraging factor to those who might be interested in participating in competition flying.







I wonder if racing canoes in the Olympics are permitted to be smaller for smaller people?







Tom Knauff



It's the Indian, not the Arrow!!

Glen

I think we could address a number of concerns by moving to a one design competition format utilizing the Schweizer 2-33A sailplane. Each competitor would be towed aloft and once everyone was airborne, the contest would begin. Competitors would be scored based on Altitude Gained after the start, Time Aloft after the start and then the Accuracy of their Spot Landings upon return. All of the competitors would need to remain within sight of the Glider Field so that spectators would be able to watch and enjoy the competition..

This would provide a level playing field, a format which involves the spectators which will help promote the sport, eliminate far away land-outs and retrieves, provide aspiring soaring students an attainable type of competition that they could soon participate in. I think, in some ways, it may provide a true test as to who the BEST glider pilot really is.

On Thursday, August 7, 2014 11:42:35 AM UTC-4, wrote:
I think we could address a number of concerns by moving to a one design competition format utilizing the Schweizer 2-33A sailplane. Each competitor would be towed aloft and once everyone was airborne, the contest would begin. Competitors would be scored based on Altitude Gained after the start, Time Aloft after the start and then the Accuracy of their Spot Landings upon return. All of the competitors would need to remain within sight of the Glider Field so that spectators would be able to watch and enjoy the competition.



This would provide a level playing field, a format which involves the spectators which will help promote the sport, eliminate far away land-outs and retrieves, provide aspiring soaring students an attainable type of competition that they could soon participate in. I think, in some ways, it may provide a true test as to who the BEST glider pilot really is.

It's called the Snowbird and it happens every Thanksgiving in Elmira.
Been going on for more than 60 years.
Make a joke out of it but folks do have fun.
UH

On Thursday, August 7, 2014 12:37:38 PM UTC-4, wrote:
On Thursday, August 7, 2014 11:42:35 AM UTC-4, wrote:

I think we could address a number of concerns by moving to a one design competition format utilizing the Schweizer 2-33A sailplane. Each competitor would be towed aloft and once everyone was airborne, the contest would begin. Competitors would be scored based on Altitude Gained after the start, Time Aloft after the start and then the Accuracy of their Spot Landings upon return. All of the competitors would need to remain within sight of the Glider Field so that spectators would be able to watch and enjoy the competition.







This would provide a level playing field, a format which involves the spectators which will help promote the sport, eliminate far away land-outs and retrieves, provide aspiring soaring students an attainable type of competition that they could soon participate in. I think, in some ways, it may provide a true test as to who the BEST glider pilot really is.



It's called the Snowbird and it happens every Thanksgiving in Elmira.

Been going on for more than 60 years.

Make a joke out of it but folks do have fun.

UH

Who said I was joking?