Dear Mal,
You seem to be offended by John’s suggestion that some of our badges are equivalent to boy scout badges, but let’s be honest—isn’t that what some of them are? You also seem to be upset by his questioning of the requirement of a 5 hour flight for competition pilots. Are our rules so perfect that there is no room to challenge them? Tim Shirley has indicated that the “5 hour flight” is an insurance requirement for competitions, but I am not aware of any evidence that this is based on anything other than someone’s theory that it is reasonable. Maybe alternative “qualifications” could be negotiated if enough people thought it was reasonable? You make a couple of interesting observations about fatigue and some industries’ responses to the admission of fatigue—I just wish when I said I felt fatigued someone would stand me down” J. But, have you never been tempted to yawn [surely a sign of fatigue or boredom or loss of concentration] while flying a glider? Did you promptly ground yourself? Will you promptly ground yourself [i.e. land at the first place it is safe to do so] if you do yawn when 300km from your destination? John raised some reasonable issues [perhaps not quite as subtlety as he might] and I think they deserve reasonable and reasoned answers. Regards, Colin From: aus-soaring-boun...@lists.internode.on.net [mailto:aus-soaring-boun...@lists.internode.on.net] On Behalf Of Mal Bruce Sent: Thursday, 12 September 2013 10:43 PM To: aus-soaring@lists.internode.on.net Subject: [Aus-soaring] State Comp Required Pilot Qualifications Heavy vehicle drivers can drive for 5 hours and 15 minutes with out a break I guess they are professionals we drive up to 12 - 14 hours depending on what fatigue management rules they operate under. Long hall pilots are often on duty for 16 hours. If you were working for NSW State Transit Authority to mention fatigue or say you are fatigued you would be stood down and sent off for medical checks this did does happen, from a close family member this has happened at Qantas as well. The two hours fatigue caters for the lowest common denominator, not for professional drivers. In gliding, driving and flying they make rules. The reason they are unlikely to change the rules for you is they are there for safety and liability reasons. Southern cross gliding club used to make pilots stay local at Forbes and do their five hours. Before venturing off on their 50 km flights. I suggest you do the same. I was 14 when I started gliding I have seen many pilots hit fences, trees, cars, other aircraft on the ground and in the air most of them dehydrated and fatigued that’s 32 years of gliding and 600 hours when your at the NSW comps have a look at the 18 meter trophy it took 21 years to get that. Your comment about boy scout badges is so insulting the the sport of gliding maybe your RAAF culture is to blame hopefully your clubs CFI insists you do your five hours local given your public admission of fatigue. Regards The One
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