Ed says....
After all, LSF is an elitist organization by design, or so the history of LSF states. It is there to provide recognition for accomplishments. Not everyone cares about that recognition.
This is why many of the comments in this topic are simply stupid. Guys 'contributing' who don't have a clue about what they are talking about.
The LSF program is a pilot training course with each task designed to create a foundation for skills needed to improve. The tasks were created so that a pilot interested in improving his personal flying skills could self test himself.
How do I know that? .....I spoke to some of the founders and guys who flew with the founders when I did research for an article on the LSF. While you guess, suppose, and then type...I did the work.
An "Elitest Organization by design"? Provide some actual historical, or actual information that proves that statement....heck just define what it is you mean "...by design".
The LSF Organization is NOT there to provide recognition, however it does share news of each participants completion of levels for anyone interested.
It is NOT an "elitest organization" but the guys who do all the work do end up being part of an elite group of rc soaring pilots....elite because there are sooo few who do it.
LSF5's are an elite group because as I have stated before, it takes thousands of dollars and hundreds of hours of effort and a commitment to the tasks only 130 rc soaring pilots in the history of the universe have completed.
"Powered or non powered sailplanes" ???? Its either powered or not. Electric motor launched sailplanes, hand launched sailplanes, or towed sailplanes. The moment the motor is turned back on after a launch, an electric launch sailplane becomes an electric powered airplane with long wings. We get guys showing up with 'warm liner' park flyer stuff claiming they should be able to fly on our club sailplane field because they have a 'glider'...."After all we do turn the motor off!..and on, and off, and on...." Until you, Ed Anderson, acknowledge this distinction, you will never understand anything about this proposal except that you 'feel' electric powered models should be part of the LSF Task program...
Why does any electric powered sailplane :-) flyer want to be included in the LSF Task Program....because they want to join the 'elite". IF its not for 'recognition' then just do the tasks without the paper work. Just do the tasks without the paper work, save the stamps.
And one last thing....the LSF membership has no need to "grow". It grows when an individual decides to get involved, not because some cool slogan like "Get the Bug!" entices them in.....okay there is that recognition thing....which you imply is a dirty thing.
I never ever once thought, "Wow if I complete all the LSF levels, every one will love me and think I'm really cool!" When I did complete the final task and got my Task Sheet back, I thought, " I can't believe I ate the whole thing!"
"I" did it, not the LSF Organization. I did it with my sailplanes, and with the support of my soaring friends and mentors....many who had not completed or participated in the LSF Tasks.
ED, since there are sooo many Electric Launch Contests and pilots exploding on the scene... name 5 electric launch sailplane pilots who you believe have the right stuff and interest to complete all 5 levels of the program. Just 5 names who want to become one of the elite. If you can't, then why the bother?
I know more rc sailplane pilots in the world than all of you contributing to this discussion. Know means, have flown with them, slept with some, dined with most. That likely includes ALES pilots too. Likely Larry comes in right behind me...yet you want to imply that you 'know' what those mysterious others want?
Those of you who want your words considered, think your words are worth considering, prove you believe your words have value by signing your name to your words. This isn't RC Groups where guys pretend to be someone they aren't, this is the LSF, you know guys who have decided to be a part of something more than just flying around with toy airplanes. Sign name to your words if you believe they are worth us reading. If they aren't worth the effort, well I guess then you know their value better than us.
I do ;-)
Gordy
PS, Don, I'm not sad, and I didn't infer that there weren't any sincere Electric Flyers, I said it out right and I asked for proof of 5 names. Who are these poor discriminated souls dying for the opportunity to join the 130-ish Elite?