Gliding Question
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,085
Likes: 0
From: Canada
FAI Badges
The badges can be a bit silly I suppose, but they do give some definite objectives to shoot for, which should improve the standard of your flying, and prevent boredom from setting in.
To some extent, badges are an objective, verified international test of piloting skill; although a diamond badge earned by someone flying an LS8 in Nevada is, of course, not as impressive as a gold badge earned by a K8 pilot in England. Also, it has to be said that there are many excellent pilots out there who have never bothered with badge hunting.
One thing I do believe is beyond doubt is that for 99% of soaring pilots, badge hunting is a personal challenge, and there are very few attempts to show off. Really, nobody cares what badges anyone else may have.
P.S. Neil Armstrong earned C badge #4309 (SSA) in 1966. Charles Lindbergh held C badge #10 (SSA), which he earned in 1930.
To some extent, badges are an objective, verified international test of piloting skill; although a diamond badge earned by someone flying an LS8 in Nevada is, of course, not as impressive as a gold badge earned by a K8 pilot in England. Also, it has to be said that there are many excellent pilots out there who have never bothered with badge hunting.
One thing I do believe is beyond doubt is that for 99% of soaring pilots, badge hunting is a personal challenge, and there are very few attempts to show off. Really, nobody cares what badges anyone else may have.
P.S. Neil Armstrong earned C badge #4309 (SSA) in 1966. Charles Lindbergh held C badge #10 (SSA), which he earned in 1930.
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 101
Likes: 0
From: Bletchley
MJ
Bunkhouse - err NO.
We are infact staying on South Deesside and swapping houses on the middle Saturday. We will be breakfasting on the airfield no doubt and I shall be getting my morning walk and briefing from Hamish - I suppose Lyn still thinks she CFI, Hamish doesn't have the heart to tell her.
For those who are wondering Hamish is a Chocolate Labrador and therefore, (like RAF Stn Cmdrs who are owned by Labradors) totally in charge of all that goes on the airfield.
Bunkhouse - err NO.
We are infact staying on South Deesside and swapping houses on the middle Saturday. We will be breakfasting on the airfield no doubt and I shall be getting my morning walk and briefing from Hamish - I suppose Lyn still thinks she CFI, Hamish doesn't have the heart to tell her.
For those who are wondering Hamish is a Chocolate Labrador and therefore, (like RAF Stn Cmdrs who are owned by Labradors) totally in charge of all that goes on the airfield.
Pegase Driver
Joined: May 1997
Aviation Qualifications: ATCO
Posts: 4,456
Likes: 1,171
From: Europe
Interesting photos and remarks from a non-UK reader.
I would add :
Check lists : the ones in France / Belgium/ Germany are similar to those mentioned so far except we add :Radio on + correct frequency set.
and Airbrakes in and locked
I also add personally : nothing loose ( in cockpit ) after having had to return from a promising circuit because my bottle of water had rolled near the rudder pedals !
The FAI badges : for kids now : they had a value when 300 km in a wood and fabric open air cockpit machine really meant something extraordinary.
Today , Go to the Alps , hire an LS6 in a local club and you will make 300 Km in 5 hours and gain 3000m in a single day.
If you have money, hire an ASW22 and 500 K in 3,5 hours is feasable.
What does this proves : just that Germans build very ( very) good sailplanes and that Mountain waves are very good in the Alps.
Not that you are a better pilot.
Nowadays we are all in the Web : OLC ( on line contest ) or Netcoupe ( F) where we download our loggers and compare routes, circuits. altitudes chosen and times. There you can compare yourself and see who is the best pilot...or made the best choices and on which machine.
Doing 400 K one day where everybody else did 250 has not the same value , I can tell you, that showing off badges.
I would add :
Check lists : the ones in France / Belgium/ Germany are similar to those mentioned so far except we add :Radio on + correct frequency set.
and Airbrakes in and locked
I also add personally : nothing loose ( in cockpit ) after having had to return from a promising circuit because my bottle of water had rolled near the rudder pedals !
The FAI badges : for kids now : they had a value when 300 km in a wood and fabric open air cockpit machine really meant something extraordinary.
Today , Go to the Alps , hire an LS6 in a local club and you will make 300 Km in 5 hours and gain 3000m in a single day.
If you have money, hire an ASW22 and 500 K in 3,5 hours is feasable.
What does this proves : just that Germans build very ( very) good sailplanes and that Mountain waves are very good in the Alps.
Not that you are a better pilot.
Nowadays we are all in the Web : OLC ( on line contest ) or Netcoupe ( F) where we download our loggers and compare routes, circuits. altitudes chosen and times. There you can compare yourself and see who is the best pilot...or made the best choices and on which machine.
Doing 400 K one day where everybody else did 250 has not the same value , I can tell you, that showing off badges.
