Patrick Barfield wrote: I believe that lookout and recognition of collision potential are far more important. If you are going to hit another aircraft, it will be stationary in the canopy - you won't hit another aircraft if the relative line of sight is moving. Therefore if you see an aircraft that is stationary in the windscreen at any distance you need to initiate avoiding action. I agree Patrick. While the flying in the thermal is such that both pilots keep an eye on each other and remain within the other pilot's field of view at all times things should be fine. What really gets my pulse into overdrive rate is when the other aircraft at the same level persists in tightening the turn in towards you, and eventually closes in behind you and/or has disappeared altogether, and you don't know where he/she is. You could assume that they are still watching out for you, and are now taking all the responsibility for adequate separation, but what if they aren't? What if they can't see you either? How could that happen you ask? Well, you see there is at least one thermalling scenario where neither pilot can see the other aircraft, and a collision can and sometimes does occur. It's useful to think about how this could happen, and then swear to yourself on a stack of old AG's that you will never ever allow that possibility to arise in your own flying. Sorry Ian and others, I know this has gone on a bit, but it's a useful discussion which just might be important sometime, especially as what we are seeing suggests that this may not have always been dealt with as well as it might have at club level. Regards, (and apologies to those who have had enough) Terry |
_______________________________________________ Aus-soaring mailing list Aus-soaring@lists.internode.on.net To check or change subscription details, visit: http://lists.internode.on.net/mailman/listinfo/aus-soaring