I'm sure that this discussion will probably never end anytime soon, but I'm always looking to learn the pros and cons surrounding this delicate subject.
Although I've used skegs that may be easily mistaken for lost glider parts, I keep wondering why we continue to land this way, at least in the upper divisions of competitors. In the beginning, it did make sense for the novice pilots to practice and shoot landings without the fear of becoming an insurance liability. But now after all that training and practice (or lack of?), and having acquired barely enough skill to simply be in the same arena with some of the greatest thumbs out there, doesn't it also make sense to have absolute control of our glider's energy too? I trust that this method is not what we want to foster into our newer flyers and competitors. I've seen the looks on people who are inspired by our majestic gliders and who eagerly want to play, only to glaze over at the crunching sound of a beautiful (read: expensive) toy hitting the ground at a 45 degree angle. I like Larry's idea on creating a bonus for pilots who wish to address this energy management challenge for the rewards it offers. I'm sure it would be a great start to something new and a little more challenging. Maybe, it will just take one pilot, one who holds highly regarded stature, to stand up and proclaim "Thou shalt not skeg the earth with thy glider!". Skilled pilots everywhere will simply follow suit, leaving all skeg possessions behind, and not ask any questions. I think I would like to be in that line someday. I know there are other issues, especially of safety, which create a wall to overcome. So for now, I will epoxy on my flame suit, retire to my workshop and sharpen my skeg for the next contest. :^) Patrick 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.
