[RCSE] LSF discussion - some thoughts
OK, I've read nearly all the comments on this topic in both forums and I'm ready to toss my two cents worth in the pot. If I were king, here's what I'd do to get my royal advisors started right after I explained the KISS principle. - Anyone wanting to become an LSF Sportsman MUST successfully complete the current requirements for Level I II(Contest reqm't included). Why? First, these two levels do a lot toward producing a competent sailplane pilot. The competition requirement of Level II isn't that stiff and at least exposes the participant to competition. Second, by making Level II mandatory, a pool of Sportsman pilots becomes available who at least understand what the LSF program is all about and can appropriately serve as witnesses for those in pursuit of higher levels. - After completing Level II, the requirements for further Sportsman Levels should include the current non-competitive tasks in Levels II - V. To keep things simple (a former LSF Secretary speaks here), perhaps repeats of these tasks might be required of the Sportsman. My personal opinion is the XC task of Level III should also be required as it currently stands as it, too, gives the pilot good introductory exposure to XC. - For Sportsman Levels IV V, perhaps a substitute for the XC tasks might be available but, for Sportsman Level V, both the 2 hour thermal and traditional 8 hour slope flight should remain. (Note that for some of the current Level V's - that's the only slope flying they've done.) Also, Sportsman Level V's should keep the 2 Level II witnesses requirement as well as that requirement helps promote the hobby's growth by its if you can't find 'em, grow 'em strategy. Respectfully submitted for your consideration, Jim Deck An afterward - for the LSF Leadership, this discussion couldn't have come at a worse time. The LSF sponsored Masters and the AMA Planning Meeting for the 2007 NATS re on the very near horizon. Remember that they are unpaid volunteers and cut them lots of slack while patiently waiting for their response. RCSE-List facilities provided by Model Airplane News. Send subscribe and unsubscribe requests to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Please note that subscribe and unsubscribe messages must be sent in text only format with MIME turned off. Email sent from web based email such as Hotmail and AOL are generally NOT in text format
Re: [RCSE] LSF discussion - some thoughts
Why on earth would anyone be satisfied to be an LSF Sportsman Level V when you could be a 'real' LSF Level V with just a little more dedication and perseverance? I found this segment of the hobby about eight years ago. I joined my local club and I learned that they enjoyed distant contests and was thrilled when I was invited along. I saw the fun had at these events and bought myself an older camping trailer so I could immerse myself in the activities afforded at these gatherings. I signed up with the LSF and began that journey. Being around the 'big boys' forces you to learn all the aspects of soaring that make you a better pilot. When the goal and return tasks became part of the path, an old BMW convertible was purchased. Many of my flying buddies have had the pleasure of strapping into the back seat while I speed down the course. These purchases to allow me to enjoy this hobby cost less than many guys spend on a couple of planes. The discussion at the field today concerned the threads here and at RC Groups. The consensus is that if you want to achieve LSF Level V you'd better be willing to do what it takes. No one wants to get the 'lite' Level V voucher. One analogy was that if you want to be a champion bass fisherman, you'd better have a boat, preferably a fast one. Dan - Original Message - From: Jim Deck [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: RCSE soaring@airage.com Sent: Wednesday, September 13, 2006 1:06 PM Subject: [RCSE] LSF discussion - some thoughts OK, I've read nearly all the comments on this topic in both forums and I'm ready to toss my two cents worth in the pot. If I were king, here's what I'd do to get my royal advisors started right after I explained the KISS principle. - Anyone wanting to become an LSF Sportsman MUST successfully complete the current requirements for Level I II(Contest reqm't included). Why? First, these two levels do a lot toward producing a competent sailplane pilot. The competition requirement of Level II isn't that stiff and at least exposes the participant to competition. Second, by making Level II mandatory, a pool of Sportsman pilots becomes available who at least understand what the LSF program is all about and can appropriately serve as witnesses for those in pursuit of higher levels. - After completing Level II, the requirements for further Sportsman Levels should include the current non-competitive tasks in Levels II - V. To keep things simple (a former LSF Secretary speaks here), perhaps repeats of these tasks might be required of the Sportsman. My personal opinion is the XC task of Level III should also be required as it currently stands as it, too, gives the pilot good introductory exposure to XC. - For Sportsman Levels IV V, perhaps a substitute for the XC tasks might be available but, for Sportsman Level V, both the 2 hour thermal and traditional 8 hour slope flight should remain. (Note that for some of the current Level V's - that's the only slope flying they've done.) Also, Sportsman Level V's should keep the 2 Level II witnesses requirement as well as that requirement helps promote the hobby's growth by its if you can't find 'em, grow 'em strategy. Respectfully submitted for your consideration, Jim Deck An afterward - for the LSF Leadership, this discussion couldn't have come at a worse time. The LSF sponsored Masters and the AMA Planning Meeting for the 2007 NATS re on the very near horizon. Remember that they are unpaid volunteers and cut them lots of slack while patiently waiting for their response. RCSE-List facilities provided by Model Airplane News. Send subscribe and unsubscribe requests to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Please note that subscribe and unsubscribe messages must be sent in text only format with MIME turned off. Email sent from web based email such as Hotmail and AOL are generally NOT in text format RCSE-List facilities provided by Model Airplane News. Send subscribe and unsubscribe requests to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Please note that subscribe and unsubscribe messages must be sent in text only format with MIME turned off. Email sent from web based email such as Hotmail and AOL are generally NOT in text format
Re: [RCSE] LSF discussion - some thoughts
I may be wrong (probably am), but perhaps some of the unease in the world could be mitigated by one little change in the LSF rules, without changing any tasks at all. The rules say: requirements for the subsequent Levels may be achieved any time after the previous Level form has been postmarked... So you can't get credit for Level III, IV or V tasks until everything in Level II is done and sent off, etc. Now just maybe if you relaxed this requirement, it might make some of the LSF dissidents happier. If a guy wanted to fly only thermal, for example, he could fly all his thermal tasks right up to the two-hour, and he could say, Well, I have done the thermal requirements for Level V. Then maybe he'd be motivated to do some of the slope tasks, or the XC, or the contests or whatever. The LSF could even give out separate little stickers for thermal, slope, XC, and contests. This changes things very little, yet it addresses quite a few of the specific issues that have been raised on this thread. Now I've made my one and only comment, and I will now shut up. RCSE-List facilities provided by Model Airplane News. Send subscribe and unsubscribe requests to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Please note that subscribe and unsubscribe messages must be sent in text only format with MIME turned off. Email sent from web based email such as Hotmail and AOL are generally NOT in text format
Fwd: [RCSE] LSF discussion - some thoughts
Sorry, I only sent this to Tony and it should have gone to all.-- Forwarded message --From: Jack Iafret [EMAIL PROTECTED]Date: Sep 13, 2006 8:07 PMSubject: Re: [RCSE] LSF discussion - some thoughtsTo: tony estep [EMAIL PROTECTED]OK, my one comment. Read my post of the History of LSF earlier in response to Chuck Anderson's post. I have been there and know what if means to be a an LSF person- are you? ( I am only an L IV and may never do the 8 hour slope to get LV because I don't care. That is the point- individual achievement). LSF is kind of like a goal in the sky, only the strong will succeed. If it is watered down, what is the point.The whole point in the LSF is to be under LSF 200 at this point in time (LSF 100 is done). What else could you ask for, to be one of the the best 200 in the world (LSF is a world organization). You can only exceed the LSF goals if you present a program that is more difficult in the world of new technology, not worse.If we were all equal, who would be the leaders?IMHO,Jack Iafret On 9/13/06, tony estep [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I may be wrong (probably am), but perhaps some of the unease in the world could be mitigated by one little change in the LSF rules, without changing any tasks at all.The rules say: requirements for the subsequent Levels may be achieved any time after the previous Level form has been postmarked... So you can't get credit for Level III, IV or V tasks until everything in Level II is done and sent off, etc.Now just maybe if you relaxed this requirement, it might make some of the LSF dissidents happier. If a guy wanted to fly only thermal, for example, he could fly all his thermal tasks right up to the two-hour, and he could say, Well, I have done the thermal requirements for Level V. Then maybe he'd be motivated to do some of the slope tasks, or the XC, or the contests or whatever. The LSF could even give out separate little stickers for thermal, slope, XC, and contests.This changes things very little, yet it addresses quite a few of the specific issues that have been raised on this thread. Now I've made my one and only comment, and I will now shut up.RCSE-List facilities provided by Model Airplane News.Send subscribe and unsubscribe requests to [EMAIL PROTECTED].Please note that subscribe and unsubscribe messages must be sent in text only format with MIME turned off.Email sent from web based email such as Hotmail and AOL are generally NOT in text format -- Jack IafretHome and Hobbies -- Jack IafretHome and Hobbies
