Class A airspace

Yes, and fortunately the accident apparently did not happen in Class-A
airspace. If something like this did happen in Class-A, the
repurcussions could be wide ranging. Even if the glider pilot thinks
he's at 17,999' the FDR and ATC tapes are going to be given more
weight. So this points out the need to leave some buffer altitude as
well. You are not goiing to get the benefit of the doubt.

JS wrote:
NOW, BOYS!

Perhaps class A and R has nothing to do with gliders losing use of
airspace. See posts about the Minden midair. Nobody badly hurt, that's
fantastic!

Jim