USHGA 100.05 / Traffic

From: SD
Activity_Date: November
Remote Name: 4.33.114.220

Comments

I will reserve critical comment as I've had my share of close calls due to lack of vigilance.  I often let my vigilance down because I frequently fly alone.  Getting into a thermal with 40 other gliders commands full spherical awareness.  If there is more than one glider in the thermal, it's obviously prudent to keep track and try to make eye contact.  There have been many local mid air collision incidents over the years.  With our density increasing,  I'm sure there will be more.  Fortunately, no one locally has been seriously hurt yet.

I have included the USHGA Recommended Traffic Guidelines for clarification.
As with autos, no one has the right of way, but situations do require us to yield the right of way.

Sundowner

http://www.ushga.org/part100.asp

USHGA PART 100 BASIC SAFETY RECOMMENDATIONS
100.05 TRAFFIC AND RIGHT OF WAY RECOMMENDATIONS

1. Takeoffs and landings should be made into any significant wind.
2. When ridge soaring, reversing turns should be made away from the ridge and into the wind.
3. When ridge soaring, an overtaking glider should pass between the ridge and the overtake glider.
4. Gliders approaching head on should give way to the right.
5. Pilots should avoid flying directly above or below another glider in close proximity.
6. Pilots entering a thermal should circle in the direction established by the first glider to begin circling in the thermal, without regard to the relative altitude of the gliders in the thermal.