Brian,

I'm talking with Tom Udd off line, and he's added information I
couldn't get from the video. Once he and I get done, I'll post onto
this thread again.

Just looking at the video, my major objections a (1) Seven aircraft
and numerous people and carts crossing the active runway from the time
the launch starts at 2:04 on the video clock, and (2) aircraft
apparently slotting into the contest grid who should have been there
when the grid formed.

I now understand that there were re-lights, and further that gridding
will in the future take place on the right side of the runway being
shown, so that no person or object has to cross an active runway. I
also understand there were non-contest pilots gridding, something I've
never experienced. I agree they should launch last, but I also think
they should grid with everyone else.

Hope this suffices for now, Brian. More later.

-John




On Nov 11, 2:42 pm, Brian wrote:
-John

Not Sure what you mean by Grid When It's Convienent, Or how you might
do it differently at Ephrata. One could certianly make it a lot more
complicated with no additional benefit.

I am not sure what you think you are seeing. The Launch does not start
until all gliders are grided. There are some relights that occur, me
included, that are staged back into the grid. Some between the two
classes that are launch and others at the end of the launch.

Gridding at Ephrata is simple due to the large open space. Since no
gliders are launched before grid time and it is a glider only runway,
the runway is effectively closed until after Grid time. I know the
FSDO was heavily involved in developing this system.

While I know there a many recent discussions about how this operation
works both with the FSDO and within the SGC. However I am sure if you
have a better suggestion it would be considered.

Should we all cross the runway at once?
Or would one at a time be better?
How else would you improve it?

Brian