"Kilo Charlie" wrote in message news:yB2sd.19804$KO5.10476@fed1read02...
Interesting argument. Also interesting responses some of which have nothing
to do with your original post. Must just be the grumpy winter lurkers.

I agree with you. Soaring has to be "cool" again in order to have it
survive. I'm not sure that reducing the costs somewhat wouldn't help but
nevertheless that alone will not save it.

It is an instant gratification world out there. Why should a kid spend
countless hours learning how to do something and paying the dues by watching
others do it in front of them when they can get out the X-box or Gameboy and
go at it with minimal instruction, cost or delay?

Soaring is not much of a spectator sport but one small part of the
visibility has been taken away in the name of safety (aka liability) in the
US by a push to totally abolish low finishes. It is clear with the sold out
status of the UK Smokin Vids and the fact that the UK Junior Soaring Team
has so much fun with these finishes that it is interesting to young pilots
and spectators. I'm not advocating a "Redbull" type of approach to it but
the safety/liability issue has grown out of control in the US. For some
reason soaring has attracted more than its share of curmudgeons. Sports
like hang gliding with their speed courses for example, have taken the step
to make themselves more visible to the folks on the ground.

Casey Lenox
KC
Phoenix

Mr. Lenox nailed one of the unfortunate aspects of modern American
life: The proliferation of trial lawyers and frivolous lawsuits.
It's a shame that personal liability now factors into every aspect of
our lives, including soaring. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for
sensible and appropriate safety precautions, just against the "tax" on
most goods, services, and leisure activity due to liability lawsuits.
As to Soaring attracting curmudgeons, my guess is that probably those
very same curmudgeons used to be the younger low-finish pilots. They
just got older and more seasoned.
Respectfully,