Flyfunston

DB wrote;
The new H-2 Rules need refinement.
3. After four flights, an H-2 is still an H-2. If the H-2 wants to soar at Funston, he should become an H-3.

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The majority of members who voted in 2008 and 2009 feel that there are times when H-2's can safely soar the Training Bowl and they modified the rules as such.

I believe it is the Boards duty to follow the rules and allow H-2's to fly while doing everything in our power to keep them safe.

Im kinda confused when it comes to this rule, why would a H2 want to set up his or her glider, launch and fly to the beach? sounds like a big pain in the butt all for a 45 second sled run, and then to haul your glider up the hill without help? OUCH!!!!!!

How about the supervised pilot launch in appropriate conditions, soar under the given parameters until the person supervising flags him or her to then land on the beach?

Rob

Pilots don't do the sled ride for the actual airtime but rather for the learning experience. Fort Funston has been a H-3 rated site since it's inception 27 or so years ago and untold numbers of H-2's have done the sled ride and subsequent hike back to launch as part of their training. These pilots often use the sled ride as a way to get their glider to the training bowl for more practice. This process has been a fundamental building block for pilots prior to flying the Fort.

An average H-2 does not have the skills to launch and go directly into soaring flight, especially at Fort Funston. They need to learn about the site through practice flights and build their skills gradually. Our goal is to offer quality mentoring so H-2's pilots can advance to their next rating. Hucking them off into soarable conditions without the proper experience would be irresponsible, IMHO.

"If the H-2 wants to soar at Funston, he should become an H-3."

Is this tongue-in-cheek?
If its serious - its a just a dismissal of the issue: H-2s have very few sites in the bay area which can give them the airtime and experience to build towards their H-3.
Its easy for us H3+ pilots to forget that it is not an easy transition or effort to get your H3. This effects us all as we have fewer people coming into the sport and fewer people at the site.

What is the goal of the fellow feathers? Seeing as its on public (or state) land - I would think part of the goal should to make a reasonable effort to make it available to everyone safely.

I don't believe restricting funston to H3+'s only makes anyone safer either.
We have people bending and breaking the rules, hotdogging it at unregulated sites (like the dumps), pioneering launches or just dropping out of the sport because they don't have places to build airtime. This has seemingly become the norm.

I think the drafted set of rules make a great attempt at making funston safely available to H2.5s in a way that allows them to continue to learn and progress towards their H3.

(and I'd also say we've been seeing a lot of new faces hanging around - women included)

Dirk

It's no Ed Levin, but I want to see H2.5s out there on good days to fly one at a time under supervision. On a day with favorable conditions they're not going to be much worse than any random H3 mountain pilot getting humbled at the Fort.

(edit- after re-reading my post, I wanted to add that although I am new to the site, I do have over 75 flights and almost 10 hours logged. I just don't want anyone assuming that my first flights at Funston were the same day that I earned my H2)

First, I'd like to thank all the Funston pilots that have spent time with me, either in lecture, or walking the LZ etc.

As a new pilot, and as an H2, I can give you firsthand and current information on how a new H2 feels.

Ratings, I'm finding, are but a rough guidline regarding pilot skills. I do not envy the responsibility of any instructors or Funston mentor types have when launching a new pilot at the site. What I can say, is some people are ready, some are not. As an H2 that has soared and traveled to Westlake, I can say that the site is awesome, and that I have respect for it's dangers. I can also say that landing on the beach absolutely sucks, but I feel that it is an important "Right of Passage" for any and all new pilots. You must know how to land on the beach if the lift dies out. Landing on the beach all through your H2 status? Brutal.

I feel that certain H2 pilots should be allowed access to Westlake when lower risk conditions are present. As stated here before, new pilots long for experience and hours in the air. Learning to fly at Sled Heaven, on my 8 min flights, does teach me launch and landing skills, but just about the time I'm settled in my harness and comfortable flying, it's time to land. My 2nd flight at Funston I logged 3 hours, and learned SO much it was awesome. However, since I am now denied access to Westlake, I'm really not even jazzed about flying there again until I earn my H3. Let's face it, is not altitude our friend when it comes to making mistakes? Why would I want to fly the bowls, 50ft off the ground, as a newbie?

I agree on having all new pilots to the sight, regardless of rating, to sport a streamer designating them as a new pilot. Most sports have the same, such as go kart racers putting a big X on the newbie's helmet so as not to scare the shit out of them.

I'm not asking for rule changes. I'm simply telling you of my impressions of the site as an H2. I feel very lucky to fly the site as an H2, and always have an open ear when a veteran pilot speaks. However, if I had my choice, I'd let me soar to Westlake, again, providing the conditions were permitting, and at a certain point, start teaching me to top land.

I do think it should be mandatory though, for all H2 pilots to be in constant radio/cellular communication with a veteran Funston pilot. How are you supposed to know you are, or about to, do something very stupid and life threatening without the input of someone who knows the site?

Thanks again for all who have spent time with me. See you when the wind blows west!



Gary