Scale Soaring UK

New CAA exemption now states that height for slope soarers between 7kg and  20kg mass is now 400 ft ABOVE LAUNCH HEIGHT not above nearest point on the ground.

Great news



https://bmfa.org/News/News-Page/Article ... -Exemption

Not correct. 7Kg to 14Kg not 20Kg.

Ian

Apologies. Typo.

OK I'm still confused having read the exemption - what about slope soaring gliders weighing more than 14Kg? As they are not specifically mentioned I assume that they have the 400ft restriction not from launch point but from the earth's surface? (or perhaps the people involved don't realise there are gliders like that? I have two!!)

Simon

Simon,
I think that as it is, 14-20KG have to stay less than 400ft above the ground that they are over.

I think Manny said that they were not sure where the 14Kg limit came from, and were trying to get it moved up to 20Kg.

You should e-mail Manny and make your point.

BC

Barry

Actually its David Phipps doing the negotiating and he is well aware of the 14/20kg issue.
He is already pushing for 20 kg with the CAA.
The 14kg value was an arbitrary one decided by the CAA without consultation and against Davids initial advice, so I believe.

John M

I read somewhere that the 14Kg was any arbitrary figure that would cover slope soaring and included as part of the discussions and was not based on any research

Let me fair, non of it is based on any research, fact, or logic......



BC

I am not stating such!

VinceC wrote: ↑14 Apr 2019, 12:20 I am not stating such!

Well I am, for one...

BC

They had to start from somewhere and that seems to me a reasonable guess, but maybe it would be better to have left the weight out, after all there is only so much a man can lift and throw.

If it is troubling you , Barry, here is a little something to take it off your mind

If we go far enough back in time I seem to remember that the break point was 11 lbs and this was a function of FAI competition influence. Nothing above that weight was allowed in competition.
At some point that was modified to 7kg ( 15lb 7oz ) above which would be called a “Large Model” and subject to different rules. I do not know who instigated this figure but it appears to be quite arbitrary.
The quoted 14kg point ( 30lbs 13oz )appears to me a simple doubling of the 7Kg point and in my mind has been a very simplistic step rather than based on specific information.
Personally I am with Vince on this matter in that I don’t build models with a clearly defined weight limit in mind – what I can carry half a mile up a hill and then launch myself is the limiting factor.
Brian.