Jim,
Thanks for the thoughtful post. I suspect that there are quite a few
of us out here who, although we couldn't attend the NATS, are fans of
2 meter flying. I think that the demise of 2 meter is overrated and
over-reported. There are still a good bunch who appreciated the
attributes of 2 meter craft and the skill they take to fly. In some
respects, arguably, they present more of a challenge than their
longer winged counterparts.
I hope and expect that 2 meter will be alive and well when I am able
to attend and compete in the NATS.
Rick Eckel
"Diehard 2 meter fan"
At 05:26 PM 7/28/2006, Jim Deck wrote:
From time-to-time in this forum the topic of two meter
sailplanes pops up. Frequently quoted is the now very tired
"Friends don't let friends fly two meters." Even so, over fifty
apparently friendless sailplane pilots competed in the two day, two
meter event at this year's 2006 AMA/LSF NATS in scenic Muncie,
Indiana. It was my pleasure to have been the contest director for
this event and, now that I'm home, I offer the following comments
for this forum's edification and entertainment:
- First, the competition was every bit as fierce as the
much-touted unlimited event which followed. As we were blessed
with two days of beautiful weather, thirteen rounds were flown. At
the end of those thirteen rounds, a mere 13 points separated first
and second place with numerous lead changes throughout the
event. From my vantage point, all of the competitors appeared to
be enjoying themselves.
- Second, it would be all too easy to say that there hasn't been
a new two meter design in some time as the dominant design utilized
by the top ten finishers was the venerable "Duck". Ahh, but most
of the Ducks flying were about as close to the original Duck as a
2006 Corvette is close to the original 1954 model. Sporting a
variety of airfoils, v-tails, and carbon fiber, even Daryl's
"loaner" was an example of the evolution of a design that was very
good to begin with. If you'd like a new, improved Duck, better
contact Larry Storie soon as I suspect he'll receive more than a
few orders (maybe even a few from California). By the way, Daryl's
Duck did sport the raw fiberglass fuselage that's quite the West
Coast vogue this giving it a particular California flavor.
- Lastly, I must confess that I was among those who wondered if
two meter really deserved two days of NATS time. I'm now convinced
that the challenge of competitively flying a two meter sailplane is
equal to the challenge of any other soaring event and will state
that that challenge should continue to earn two meter sailplanes
their well-deserved portion of NATS time.
Respectfully submitted,
Jim Deck
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