Affect of Alcohol (Beer) on Soaring and Soaring Racing

On Wednesday, February 20, 2019 at 2:34:05 PM UTC-8, wrote:
Suddenly, Gary Ittner's generosity in sharing his special brews with pilots at the nationals over the years makes a lot more sense. Has anyone actually witnessed P7 having one himself?

Chip Bearden

Yes he makes good beer.

Richard

I am surprised that this subject is even being debated. We have hundreds, if not thousands of years of analyses of consuming alcohol and resulting performance. It isn't a mystery- you don't do well on even simple tasks when drunk. ("Touch your nose. Now stand on one foot. Now put your hands behind your back and let's go downtown.")

A beer or two or three with friends after flying is a longstanding tradition in the aviation and soaring world. (I consider beer to be a reward and celebration with friends after a joyful day swooshing around the sky. We refer to it as 'Aircrew Debriefing Fluid.')

I know I don't fly well the day after drinking too much and so I don't fly with a hangover. If we get into a weather pattern at Moriarty that promises several days of great conditions, I limit my consumption to a level that is commensurate with the time necessary to metabolize the alcohol consumed prior to engaging in aviation related tasks. If I fail to limit the consumption, I just don't fly the next day and kick myself for screwing up.

Judgment is a personal choice, and I certainly respect the attitude of Sebastian Kawa, for obvious reasons. He is simply the best in the world. But I also appreciate the many competition pilots who can kick back and socialize with friends after a long, challenging contest flight. Perhaps they have a beer or two, a couple of glasses of wine, some laughter and camaraderie. It is always a personal choice.

Will you do better in a soaring contest if you completely abstain from consuming alcohol? Maybe, but you can also learn a lot about your competition by hanging out with them after flying.

Remember that being Number One in your particular field shouldn't come by being a judgmental, critical outsider. We do this because it is fun. I don't see too many trophies sponsored by breweries, although I wish I had been around for the Smirnoff Sailplane Derby

On Wednesday, February 20, 2019 at 10:05:08 PM UTC-5, wrote:
I am surprised that this subject is even being debated. We have hundreds, if not thousands of years of analyses of consuming alcohol and resulting performance. It isn't a mystery- you don't do well on even simple tasks when drunk. ("Touch your nose. Now stand on one foot. Now put your hands behind your back and let's go downtown.")

A beer or two or three with friends after flying is a longstanding tradition in the aviation and soaring world. (I consider beer to be a reward and celebration with friends after a joyful day swooshing around the sky. We refer to it as 'Aircrew Debriefing Fluid.')

I know I don't fly well the day after drinking too much and so I don't fly with a hangover. If we get into a weather pattern at Moriarty that promises several days of great conditions, I limit my consumption to a level that is commensurate with the time necessary to metabolize the alcohol consumed prior to engaging in aviation related tasks. If I fail to limit the consumption, I just don't fly the next day and kick myself for screwing up.

Judgment is a personal choice, and I certainly respect the attitude of Sebastian Kawa, for obvious reasons. He is simply the best in the world. But I also appreciate the many competition pilots who can kick back and socialize with friends after a long, challenging contest flight. Perhaps they have a beer or two, a couple of glasses of wine, some laughter and camaraderie. It is always a personal choice.

Will you do better in a soaring contest if you completely abstain from consuming alcohol? Maybe, but you can also learn a lot about your competition by hanging out with them after flying.

Remember that being Number One in your particular field shouldn't come by being a judgmental, critical outsider. We do this because it is fun. I don't see too many trophies sponsored by breweries, although I wish I had been around for the Smirnoff Sailplane Derby

The topic wasn't meant to be a "Debate" - I know RAS loves debates

Since I started it - it was meant to help "me" come up with a bit better "personal" decisions/check lists. sort of like:

I want to do 1000k - make sure i have 8 hours of sleep the 4 nights before - don't drink - call off the task if work is over stress limits........

Before a Contest - don't drink 4 days before or during the contest - sleep in a proper bed - get to sleep before 10 pm - eat only my own cooking.

you get the idea..... RAS has many experience pilots - it can be a place to get diverse opinion and something real data - also a little humor thrown in

Every body reacts to different stress with uniqueness. It in nice to hear how others approach an issue...... it's not a debate, just because you ask a question

WH

On 2/21/2019 6:50 AM, wrote:
Many snips
The topic wasn't meant to be a "Debate" - I know RAS loves debates

Since I started it - it was meant to help "me" come up with a bit better "personal" decisions/check lists. sort of like:

I want to do 1000k - make sure i have 8 hours of sleep the 4 nights before - don't drink - call off the task if work is over stress limits........

Before a Contest - don't drink 4 days before or during the contest - sleep in a proper bed - get to sleep before 10 pm - eat only my own cooking.

you get the idea..... RAS has many experience pilots - it can be a place to get diverse opinion and something real data - also a little humor thrown in

Every body reacts to different stress with uniqueness. It in nice to hear how others approach an issue...... it's not a debate, just because you ask a question

WH
If the weather was more commensurate with flying, we'd be flying (and
having a post flight debriefing fluid) rather than debating the relative
merits of barley.
--
Dan, 5J

On Thursday, February 21, 2019 at 11:00:26 AM UTC-5, Dan Marotta wrote:


There is NO DEBATE about that LOL - my son works for a brewery, so the plan was NEVER to give up Beer - it is a basic food group.

Spring is getting closer every day!

WH

A long time ago, George Moffat referred me to "Learned Optimism" by Martin Seligman. His thesis is that if you think you're stronger, faster, better, healthier, etc , then there's a pretty good chance you will be. It goes beyond the usual advice to think positive but that's the summary. So if certain pilots think they fly better because they abstain...or because a beer helps them relax after a flight, then they might.

Chip Bearden

On Thursday, February 21, 2019 at 9:14:32 AM UTC-8, wrote:
A long time ago, George Moffat referred me to "Learned Optimism" by Martin Seligman. His thesis is that if you think you're stronger, faster, better, healthier, etc , then there's a pretty good chance you will be. It goes beyond the usual advice to think positive but that's the summary. So if certain pilots think they fly better because they abstain...or because a beer helps them relax after a flight, then they might.

Chip Bearden

I am positive beer makes me a better pilot.