Landing Direction

[Keith Black]

I'm in favor of the proposal for safety in the case the wind direction changes, but I'd like to bring something up that I've seen occur. Some pilots are much more comfortable flying one direction than the other and therefore will sometimes choose to take-off in the same direction as the wind, especially in a light wind. 

Is the spirit of this rule change to allow someone who took off with the wind to reverse landing direction? If not I think we could get into a lot of "hair splitting" when the pilot asks the judges if he can land in the reverse direction. Will the judges remember what way the wind was blowing (especially if the winds were light when the pilot took off)? Will other competitors observer the situation and be upset? If the judges refuse for any reason how upset will the pilot be if he dorks his $2500 plane? Will this rule lead to pilots not practicing the pattern both directions as much, especially in the lower classes where wind direction doesn't matter as much?

Currently if a pilot has a weak flight direction and chooses to fly with the wind their "penalty" and incentive for not doing so is having to make a hot down wind landing (which I've seen plenty). 

Over all I like the idea but want to avoid any unexpected side-effects of the rules change. 

Keith Black

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Ron Van Putte 
  To: discussion at nsrca.org 
  Sent: Friday, June 10, 2005 10:08 AM
  Subject: Landing Direction


  Based on the positive response on the proposed change to landing direction, I sent my draft landing direction rule change proposal to John Fuqua, the Contest Board chairman, and he replied:

  "How about this.  Suggest you put this as para 6.7 which is the 'Safety Requirements" section. 

  "Normally landing would be as per paragraph 14.1 regarding Direction of Flight.  However, when a wind shift results in a downwind landing that creates a hazard to people or the aircraft, subject to the approval of the judges, the landing direction may be reversed.

  (or maybe)

  "Normally landing would be as per paragraph 14.1 regarding Direction of Flight.  However, subject to the approval of the judges, the landing direction may be reversed when a wind shift results in a downwind landing that creates a hazard to people or the aircraft."

  I prefer the second one and will make an Emergency Proposal as soon as I can put it together.

  Ron Van Putte
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