>>The weather was not condusive to CLPA....period. I am with
>>Leonard on this one and I do think some of you need your
>>testosterone levels lowered as well as your common sense
>>evaluated. This is NOT Combat....and flight speeds were
>>nearly equal to wind speeds in some of the gusts endured. I
>>was also just a few feet from Todds impact and the
>>destruction was so total thats the tiny parts fluttered off
>>the field instantly and he was barely able find most of it!
>
>John;
>
>Firstly, I am very relieved that no one, to include you,
>your girlfriend, and her son, as well as all other
>spectators was hit by the ship in FF mode. There is no joy
>in injury.
>
>Secondly, if admiring the grit of those who flew and
>understanding that in order your win, you have to fly in
>whatever conditions are present at the contest, is in your
>opinion a reflection of "high testosterone", perhaps you
>need to recalibrate.
I respect all in this hobby and in particular those that I compete with. I also respect their efforts and the beautiful creations they fly. I spend nearly a year creating a new airplane as I am sure many do. I respect the airplanes as a beautiful creation and nearly a work of art as well as a competive tool and object of enjoyment. Obviously there is risk involved. Unnecessarily risking that creation, tool and toy in adverse conditions in a competition that had more to do with survival than precision aerobatics by a certain point just seems disrespectful to the aircraft and its creator. It was each individual pilots choice to fly or not and I have to admire grit.....
I flew in 2000 when we thought things were tough and I think many more passed then than this year. There was no comparison from then to the conditions this year.
>
>My points were simple. No one should be faulted for flying
>or not flying. When I saw a number of comments faulting
>those who decided to dare and fly, I entered this
>discussion. Each flyer should be respected for their
>decision and efforts.
>
I respect it and fault no one...no need nor point...but I am entitled to an opinion based on my own feelings. Lots of risk was taken here and not just by the pilots.
>>Thats when I passed. I am sure some would have taken immense
>>pleasure had I splattered my bird all over the field and
>>declared me a hero had I been so foolish. Glad I passed on
>
>A ridiculous comment that I sincerely hope you retract. I
>can think of no one in our hobby/sport/obsession who takes
>pleasure in watching someone else's ship go in. I certainly
>don't. Had you flown and lost your ship, we would have
>known that you felt the chance of winning or placing high in
>the contest was worth potentially losing the plane. As you
>didn't, we know that you did not. Nothing wrong with either
>decision, for you or for anyone else.
Yes ridiculous...so was what was endured and I applaud all who finished two complete flights with planes in tact. It was a tongue in cheek comment and I wont retract it.
>
>>that honor. Again, I take nothing away from those that flew
>>and finished with planes in tact. It took lots of skill and
>>just as much luck. Those that crashed...had no real choice.
>>I learned long ago that discretion is the better part of
>>valor.
>
>And for you, that works. Others knew that once the ED made
>the call and the contest began, in order to win they had to
>accept risk. They had to accept the conditions as they were
>and do the best they could. Some were lucky, some were
>unlucky. They made their call, you made yours. No one was
>wrong. The rest is history.
Granted...but I was there and I am as entitled as anyone to an opinion and a choice and I made it.
>
>What is interesting is that I have heard no derisive
>comments or sour grapes from the flyers who flew, regardless
>of the condition of their ship at the end of the day, about
>those who did not fly or the conditions other than it was
>tough and very, very challenging. I believe we (everyone)
>owe them the same courtesy and respect their competitive
>spirit.
Do not confuse my comments as some sort of picking upon those that flew. It was a very tough day and I saw the look upon the faces those that planted their pride and joy into the pavement and many of these were the very best pilots we have with their very best airplanes. I respect their competitive spirit...I showed up and judged two days and flew and qualified with these fellows. I also knew the limitations of my airplane. Some with the very best equipment had NO CHOICE....crash was almost a 70/30 proposition.
Its water under the bridge at this point and I believe Leonard and I might think that a postponement might have been in order. That does not mean that I do not respect all of these men and I shook the hand of the 2003 Nats Champ and went to supper with the Advanced Champ and bought him a much deserved beer.
Anytime we make comments on here it is very easy for things to be taken out of the context intended. Either way I feel sure I am no more abrasive than some others that post here...
>As for safety issues, I agree there are concerns and we are
>fortunate that on one was injured. If we are going to have
>to deal with high winds from time to time, we might need to
>look at spectator placement when those conditions arise.
>
Good point, and with predominant winds from the west and three circles lined up end to end from east to west this could have been a real problem. I do believe that some folks were dispatched to watch the backs of the judges for just such a contingency. Does that tell you things were a bit dicey! Bear was about fifteen to twenty feet outside the circle on circle three and attempting maneuvers over the corn field! First flight I saw Windys twin B25 pull him forward a few steps on the down wind side. Other folks were dispatched around the circles to grab the planes once the plane landed and came to a hault so it would not be flipped over or otherwise blown off the field.
