From JP Stewart

Great post UH. Well said. I agree. You've done alot with kids, need more like that. Not just parents.

I tried to get Daniel into F2 this week for R6N but unfortunately his glass time is very low. Too low to insure at present. He has not flown in the LS4 yet at Blairstown. Not a single flight yet as I understand it... I hope he can get his time up for next year! 126 attack again! Maybe more of us should be flying those things?

JP was/is welcome to fly F2 (Lak17a) but he got his LS8 again (awesome!) for Ionia and he fits better in that ship at 6'2 or so.

Everyone should try to sponsor and help some kid. Without that out sport will be half what it is today in 15 years in the US as many age out.

Our gliders spend way too much time in the trailer and clubs with club or even HP ships are mired in bureaucratic issues regarding allowing pilots (especially young ones) to take them to contests even though many of the members have the right idea and are trying to make that happen.

This is about the kids in contest soaring. Something so painfully absent its embarrasing. even sailing has massively better demographics. Ill do my part. It's desperately needed that the entire US soaring community begins reprioritizing its objectives to grow this segment rapidly and significantly. Insurance, ships, funding, etc. recognition for the great owners and clubs who provide ships...

I'm bowing out if this thread as it has been ground over far too long. I think I made my point perfectly clear even though it is a sensitive issue for many.

Sean

On Tuesday, June 18, 2013 8:15:48 PM UTC-4, Sean F (F2) wrote:
Daniel, who I arranged an internship for the summer in Ionia (where he is today), is a friend. We have had numerous us conversations on this LS4 topic. All I will say is if Daniel had access to this LS4, he'd be flying it in Ionia next week. He may be a little afraid of further upsetting his club members who are already spinning in a political furball.


So Sean, Daniel writes above that ACA has been incredibly supportive of all of his soaring needs. Yet you persist in implying that the club has somehow withheld use of the LS4. Well, I know you're not one to let facts get in the way of your opinions, but let's try these on for size:

- Daniel has been offered (encouraged actually) to take higher performance ships to races. Starting with the 1-34R for Mifflin. He declined for his own legitimate reasons.
- Two years ago, the club purchased a Grob Twin Astir to begin the transition to higher performance ships. The ship was refinished with nearly 600 hours of club labor (including about 200 of mine). It is available to all club members to use in building high-performance glass time. Daniel has chosen to stick with the 1-26 for the most part.
- FWIW, I took Daniel on several of his first long cross country ridge flight in my own Grob Twin; picked up the tows on those.
- The LS4 was purchased a couple of months ago. The club went through its own procedures to get the ship insured, put processes in place to ensure safe assembly, etc. So, it hasn't been available to ANYONE until earlier a couple of weeks ago.

So, as even you will have to admit, there's not some grand conspiracy to keep a promising young pilot out of the LS4. Just the opposite - ACA has backed Daniel to the hilt on everything he has wanted to do.

Yet, somehow, you want to make us the bad guys.

I'd love to hear your thoughts on that. Maybe you'll apologize?

Erik Mann
P3

I sincerely apologize to everyone and anyone who feels singled out or hurt by my over direct and pointed comments. I was wrong for doing so.

It was my intent to be general. What I did not expect was people feeling so singled out. That was not my intention. Again, no excuse.

As I am good friends with JP, I became upset when he became upset after hearing this news. No excuse but its what happened for what it's worth...

I think both these young men have earned our respect. I look forward to seeing them enjoy the full support of their clubs as they continue to grow into the sport of contest soaring.

And to the other young pilots who are out there somewhere, I look forward to watching you grow into this sport as well!

Best,

Sean
F2

Thanks Erik,

Interestingly, I had about the same kind of message for The One I Will Not Name at Ceasar Creek. Explained to him how BRSS members (he didn't even know what that stands for) had resolved the JP situation within hours of JP asking for a glider. Being quite meek and agreeable in person, The One... appeared to be getting the message - I was even hopeful he'd apologize here. However, his RAS personality was back the next day, bashing the NC club yet again and then moving on to spread dirt on your club.
Hope this is the last time we hear from him but not holding my breath.

Herb

Herb,

You were right then and now. Sorry for not getting the message the first time.

Again, sincere appoligies. I was wrong.

With respect,

Sean
F2

On Wednesday, June 19, 2013 10:52:02 AM UTC-4, Sean F (F2) wrote:
I sincerely apologize to everyone and anyone who feels singled out or hurt by my over direct and pointed comments. I was wrong for doing so.



It was my intent to be general. What I did not expect was people feeling so singled out. That was not my intention. Again, no excuse.



As I am good friends with JP, I became upset when he became upset after hearing this news. No excuse but its what happened for what it's worth...



I think both these young men have earned our respect. I look forward to seeing them enjoy the full support of their clubs as they continue to grow into the sport of contest soaring.



And to the other young pilots who are out there somewhere, I look forward to watching you grow into this sport as well!



Best,



Sean

F2

Thanks. Feeling much better. We're all on the same side here in the grand scheme of things. Let's go fly.

P3

On Wednesday, June 19, 2013 10:52:02 AM UTC-4, Sean F (F2) wrote:
I sincerely apologize to everyone and anyone who feels singled out or hurt by my over direct and pointed comments. I was wrong for doing so.



It was my intent to be general. What I did not expect was people feeling so singled out. That was not my intention. Again, no excuse.



As I am good friends with JP, I became upset when he became upset after hearing this news. No excuse but its what happened for what it's worth...



I think both these young men have earned our respect. I look forward to seeing them enjoy the full support of their clubs as they continue to grow into the sport of contest soaring.



And to the other young pilots who are out there somewhere, I look forward to watching you grow into this sport as well!



Best,



Sean

F2

Sean...your above apology is a step in the right direction, yet incomplete. For the record "everyone and anyone" are not the primary victims of your slurs; it is the Blue Ridge Soaring Society and the Aero Club Albatross. If your goal is to "clean the slate", then a direct apology to BRSS and ACA should follow forthwith. As it is said, "if its worth doing, do it correctly"..

ben

On Wednesday, June 19, 2013 10:05:26 AM UTC-5, Papa3 wrote:
On Wednesday, June 19, 2013 10:52:02 AM UTC-4, Sean F (F2) wrote:

I sincerely apologize to everyone and anyone who feels singled out or hurt by my over direct and pointed comments. I was wrong for doing so.







It was my intent to be general. What I did not expect was people feeling so singled out. That was not my intention. Again, no excuse.







As I am good friends with JP, I became upset when he became upset after hearing this news. No excuse but its what happened for what it's worth...







I think both these young men have earned our respect. I look forward to seeing them enjoy the full support of their clubs as they continue to grow into the sport of contest soaring.







And to the other young pilots who are out there somewhere, I look forward to watching you grow into this sport as well!







Best,







Sean



F2



Thanks. Feeling much better. We're all on the same side here in the grand scheme of things. Let's go fly.



P3

Same here, let's forget about this whole affair, can someone delete this thread, please?
Thanks for the above notes, Sean!
Herb

On Wednesday, June 19, 2013 10:05:26 AM UTC-5, Papa3 wrote:
On Wednesday, June 19, 2013 10:52:02 AM UTC-4, Sean F (F2) wrote:

I sincerely apologize to everyone and anyone who feels singled out or hurt by my over direct and pointed comments. I was wrong for doing so.







It was my intent to be general. What I did not expect was people feeling so singled out. That was not my intention. Again, no excuse.







As I am good friends with JP, I became upset when he became upset after hearing this news. No excuse but its what happened for what it's worth...







I think both these young men have earned our respect. I look forward to seeing them enjoy the full support of their clubs as they continue to grow into the sport of contest soaring.







And to the other young pilots who are out there somewhere, I look forward to watching you grow into this sport as well!







Best,







Sean



F2



Thanks. Feeling much better. We're all on the same side here in the grand scheme of things. Let's go fly.



P3

I apologize to the blue ridge soaring society for the way to direct statements about the LS6 situation. You've produced a great kid in JP. Although I am terrified of your flying area, I hope to fly there one day. I hear the contests are grand there.

Also, sincere apologies to Blairstown as well. I understand Daniel has chosen not to fly the LS4 for his own reasons!

JP and Daniel and I are always talking so we have discussed this as well and I have apologized to them for bringing so much unwanted attention.

Best,

Sean

And sincere apologies to aero club albatross. Not sure which one that is ( Blairstown?). But regardless I have heard nothing but good things about so many if the east coast glider clubs including yours! Happy flying and good luck!

Sean