I think the starting e-SAP should be carefully thought out. I do not support current LSF members moving their achievement level over to the new e-SAP. As a current level IV, good for me, but it would deprive me of the fun of working up the achievement ladder and indicate a level of competence with e-gliders that I have not demonstrated. A big no to that.
I also do not support the limit of one attempt a day on tasks. As has been pointed out, drive time, free time, and expense make this unnecessarily difficult.
The motor restart question should be moot, and not part of the considerations at hand. It is a part of the current AMA/ALES rules. As an aside, I strongly support the opportunity to restart, given that it results in a zero for the round. The idea of potentially sacrificing a $2K glider to preserve some sort of soaring integrity strikes me as unnecessarily macho. But again, it should not be a part of voting on amendments to include e-soaring in LSF. It falls in the same category as skegs that are currently not allowed. Although off topic, I think that skegs behind the cg are a good idea to protect errant flap lift damage and make slippery grass slides a non-issue.
Good points have been made about the differences between winch launch and e-launch as it pertains to the SAP. I'm surprised that TK's well thought out set of tasks did not receive more traction. I think the reduction in launch height as the levels progress is a good idea and support it. Easy to do with the current CAM in primary use.
I think that a slope requirement should not be included in the e-SAP program as in TK's proposal. A lack of accessible slopes in some areas, and the necessity of a purpose built e-glider unnecessarily complicate advancement. If the TD alternative is left in place as in the current SAP, I have no objection. An 8 hour slope task requires a purpose built plane and marshaling some friends to potentially travel some distance for a task that is weather dependent. I'd be happy to see it eliminated from the e-SAP requirement for level V.
Don Harbon, Ed Anderson, Preston and others have brought good suggestions to the group about the tasks. I don't support making the landing tasks more difficult than the current SAP for an event that currently de-emphasizes landing in an effort to not damage motors and airframes.
All things considered, I support TK's suggested -eSap. It mirrors the current SAP that has proven over many years to serve LSF well. I do have the following caveat. I have great concern over the requirements in level IV and V for the number of participants. I am absolutely committed to competition requirements and keeping those achievements difficult but the level V contest requirements of 3 wins in contests with 20 participants is problematic. This requirement has become a very difficult achievement in the current SAP, beyond what I believe was intended by the originators of the SAP. In my region the number of participants and the number of contests has diminished over the last ten years. In 1998 Marc Gellart wisely put together the OVSS (Ohio Vally Soaring Series) to insure that there would be several contests each year with 20+ participants. In 2004 there were 8 contests, all 8 had 20+ participants, in 2008, there were 8 contests, 6 with 20+ participants, in 2013 there were 6 contests, only two had 20+ participants, one of those was the NATS. Moreover, not a lot of new names on the contest lists. See:
www.mvsaclub.com/ovss/OVSS.html
. Bear in mind that participating in all the OVSS events involves 4-5 hour drives and overnight stays. I'm not suggesting eliminating travel to contests.
I do understand and support that level V should be difficult, but it should not so difficult as to all but stop accomplishment. I'll not be so naive to suggest that the current SAP be modified. Others have noted the expense and geographical difficulties in attending competitions with 20+ participants. If I stumble into another level V win, I'll work on the remaining requirements, until then, they are on hold. In 2000 when I was level II, I have what would have been a level V win in an RES contest Cincinnati Soaring held with over 20 competitors that included a number of beginners. That type of contest with a fair number of beginners doesn't happen much, if at all, now. I'm suggesting an alternate to both the number of participants needed and the number of wins. I'd like to hear suggestions on that part. Keep it very difficult but not one that requires unreasonable travel and expense.
More than my .02. Thanks for the consideration.