Three Cheers for eAnderson!!!
Now my Ramblimgs
I started flying gas RC models in the late 70's and my best friend introduced me to slope soaring in the late 80's in Germany. I have not flown a gas model since 1992. Since then it has been all pure TD gliders, some electric aerobatic models and a helicopter, if you call the latter one flying! ;-)
I flew TD in SoCal (SSJSS, PSS, SULA, CVRC etc.) and enjoyed my LSF journey through Level III. I have not done anything with the LSF since moving to Montana just past the turn of this century. Why? There was no one else who flew winch, hi-start etc. of course I heard things like, there are no thermals in Montana, the lift sucks, gliders are boring etc.... Nothing new as we have all heard these things before. That is why the LSF is important, even if only through the first level.
So I tried for years to get folks into gliders, hi-starts, DLG etc... The only thing that stuck was electric gliders, but then they wanted models that looked like a full size glider. So there was only a handful of interest. I still wanted to fly contests!
Then the altitude limiter came on scene. I held an impromptu ALES contest clinic at the local power field and now, two years later we have close to 15 pilots flying our monthly contests, learning about composite structures and aerodynamics. I am amazed that we have not lost any interest at all. None! Our second annual two day ALES contest had 28 pilots!
I have not educated many folks on the benefits of the LSF as it does not apply to what we fly. I am still stuck on the fact that if the motor cannot be restarted after shutdown till the model is on the ground that there is no difference. Heck, I can restart my motor and during a contest I landed so far out I was sure the model would have been damaged, but luckily it was not. My timer and I both forgot we could restart it and bring it home with the same contest score result! Old habits are hard to break. Restart of the motor for the LSF is a mute point during contests but during other tasks such as the cross country it is a big deal.
I have always thought it took more money to be a competitive soaring enthusiast than an everyday power flyer. That may have changed since the 90's. I learned more about aerodynamics in the first year of flying gliders than all my previous decade of flying gas models. I think working with Mother Nature and the aerodynamic knowledge was the hook for me. I enjoy the structures now too.
It has been over a decade since I have done anything for my next LSF level which I still cherish the journey I took. So why have I stopped the LSF journey?; money and time. Many of the Level V's either live where they can easily accomplish the rest of the tasks or are fortunate enough to have time and money to do so. So what would I have to do is not only increase my flying skill but I would have to buy the rest of my way in via travel and time away from work and family.
I was fortunate in life where I was able to buy my current profession. It cost about $45,000 and five years of no free time but school, fun school that is and was then fortunate and skilled enough to be able to perform the work. I just don't think the LSF should be a purchase program to the big prize. My opinion. How many folks never make the Olympics because of money? I am sure many. So I do understand it though and am not suggesting any changes.
I am also saying that no matter how far or how little one uses the LSF program it is all a plus for soaring. If you think electrics are not the future of soaring, perhaps they won't surpass slicks but they may equal numbers sooner than later. To see what can be done please visit Montana the middle of August 2014 and I hope to not only show what we have done but maybe show you a trout, mountain, coffee or beer that you have not experienced. :-)
I would very much like to see inclusion of electric assisted gliders to some kind of program and one that didn't require a bank account to test those skills.
So those are my ramblings, not that you asked. :-)
Curtis
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