[RCSE] Something Different for Sailplane events

[Ray Hayes. Web Site http://www.skybench.com]

This event is limited to one entry per frequency and now has 38 entries.  The event is highly unusual, it is limited to wood constructed sailplanes and has a format that evidently a lot of people are attracted to. Clarification: the fuse can be fiberglass and the wings can be fully sheeted over wood ribs.  The spar can be any degree of carbon composit.   The format could be of interest to all contest directors that are putting on sanctioned events and/or club activities.  Although this is a woody event, it can be applied to composits, unlimited only, or all the AMA size class events. It can also replace the skill levels that might be in use during club monthly activities.  The basic differences in  format from what we have been flying for 35 years are:  no size classes, pick the task you want to fly from the five LSF Thermal Duration task levels, and/or the 3 for 15 Max Cu, and/or the longest single flight, chose the time when you want to fly, chose the sailplane you want to fly (you may not want to fly a smaller plane in the one or two hour tasks),  make three attempts and your best single score counts (excludes 3 for 15 Cu Max), take the two days to accomplish your chosen tasks, OR JUST FLY FOR FUN.    This event is not to be confused with RES or NOSTALGIA, those events describe the design you can fly.  We are going to be flying new designs and old designs of any size and control functions.  The tasks will be the focus of the event.  So it is a pick a task and then pick a sailplane.   Think of your fellow club members that don't show up at your club sanctioned events, but do fly in the club monthly events or those that don't even fly in the monthly events.  Is it possible they would show if they could chose to fly for competition or fun?  It is a fact, that a ton of guys don't fly sanctioned contests because they don't see the point in the time and expense to fly three six minute tasks in one day.  Maybe it is time for this format, maybe it is time to offer a fun fly and/or competition event so that all sailplaners can get together and have fun.    We have four new designs entered in the Special Events "Best New Design" category already, so I think woodys are alive and well.  The "Single Longest Flight" is also a very popular Special Events category.  This event is going to be nothing but fun, May 25-26, 2002, on the AMA flying field, Muncie, Indiana.     Full info on my web site http://www.skybench.com  in the Wood Crafters Soar In Reunion page.  If you haven't been to the AMA Museum, then add that to your list of reasons to participate as well as see the  Wilbur Wright Birthplace Museum with the full size Wright Flyer displayed.    Ray Hayes  LSF 803