What on earth is that? Almost without exception, the first question I’m asked about my glider is, “What does the writing on the fin mean?” In fact it’s the same as the registration, ZEN, just written in a Japanese semi-cursive script. But very few people really probe about why I chose D-KZEN as the registration.…
Let me close with a vision for contest soaring; perhaps reversing my charge to talk about the past with facts and instead talk about the future with hope. I love contest soaring. Selfishly, it’s very time-efficient – you go and fly on days you wouldn’t get out of bed on a safari. And those weak…
The final trend I will comment on is safety. Contests are getting slowly safer. If you watch the spectacular “Sunship Game” from 1970, you’ll not only be struck by how much everyone smokes, and how little they wear in the sun, you’ll be struck by the amazing amount of glider carnage, and the casual attitude…
A few lucky pilots can afford to buy the latest sailplanes, but most of us are limited to used ones. The price of used gliders varies widely. The Libelle is available for around $15,000, while for a little over $20,000 you can purchase a ship such as a Mosquito, PIK-20, Mini-Nimbus, or LS-3. For $25,000…
To some rules are boring. But rules make the race! The only difference between a glider race and a tiddlywinks contest is the rules! The character of racing has changed a lot as rules change, and it will continue to evolve. 1. Measurement vs. incentives. The Big Picture of rules evolution in the US is…
This shocked observers at Perry who thought the engine in the tow plane was coming apart. The glider pilot knew it was coming.
I have pointed to several changes going on at the same time. Declining participation Fragmentation into many small classes Nobody wants to drive. On the last point. The vast majority of pilots do not cross the country for “national” contests. With the exception of 2-3 pilots desperate for team points under the current formula, most…
We not only have two new race formats, we have an abundance of new classes. 1. Handicapped racing One of the biggest innovations of the last 25 years has been the introduction of handicapped racing. As in all other sports that have handicapped racing, such as sailing, there’s a lot of whining over the winter…
The last 25 years have seen a huge structural change in how contest flying is organized. I start with two whole new race formats, the OLC and Grand Prix 1. OLC The OLC (online contest) is a big development. Pilots send their traces in from around the world, and are scored on various formats, most of…
Got this photo of Leo in the JS-1 in Feb 2009. Leo is flying south on the east side of the valley on a perfect windy day. Got this shoot with my Canon 30D while holding tight on a hang gliding ramp at Dunlap, Tennessee.
