Weaklinks are a big issue. The problem is that pilots "learn" to make stronger and stronger weaklinks because they do not want to have a weaklink break when it is dangerous (they are low and out of control).
A safety link is installed at the point of attachment of the towline to the towing aircraft with a breaking strength greater, but not more than 25 percent greater, than that of the safety link of the towed glider or unpowered ultralight vehicle end of the towline and not greater than twice the maximum certificated operating weight of the glider or unpowered ultralight vehicle.
However, the meet directors are forcing us to use their weak links. They are rated about half the strength of what I currently use. (Wallaby/Quest style links.) That makes me a little nervous since a weak link break close to the ground can hurt.
The Fed is the weak body in the equation, but the other body (the Congress) is totally dysfunctional due to Republican obstructionism. The one thing that the Fed could do (in addition to these moves) is to tell folks that they are will to let inflation go to 5%. They could also really be more specific all around.
It would help, but government spending would help a lot more.
We were ready to start launching right at 1 PM, given the cloud situation, and I was second after James Stinnett. Unfortunately my weak link popped off at twenty feet and I had to get back in line. The next two pilots also broke their weak links. The backs of the carts were set too high.
99% of free-flight pilots are too stupid to learn much from published accident reports. They don't really care that someone else messed up. They don't want to hear it. There is no lesson for them. They believe they won't ever have an accident because they are better pilots. They don't - and never have - filed accident witness reports. It's more than laziness or just being drunk or high or both. They think that since there are millions and millions of pilots just like them, the chances of having a serious accident are pretty slim. In fact, the chance of having an accident is hardly more than background noise, even though they know lots of people who have been injured flying. They don't want to know the details. They don't want their girlfriend or boss or parents to see an accident report. The world is more comfortable without these reports. It can't happen to them so it isn't important.
General aviation is different. Unlike free-flight, GA demands a minimum level of intelligence.
When I first read that Jack Show post I thought that GuessWho was an alias for michael170. A review of some of his other posts convinced me that it wasn't.
Nice to see someone else on the same wavelength.
Earned him a couple of "Sink This!" ratings.
The first, 2012/10/08 20:31:13 UTC, from Paul Hurless. No surprise there 'cause he - as much as anyone on The Jack Show - resembles those remarks.
The other, 2012/10/08 20:35:14 UTC, from Jonathan. That IS a bit surprising 'cause Jonathan had said something pretty similar in that thread.
