Thanks Steve, interesting especially the note on aggressiveness which is unfortunately evident with a few of our pilots. Also I was unaware of the rule to change direction from a lower counter thermalling group to the direction of the upper group. I wonder if others are aware of this? I have certainly witnessed conflict as a lower group meets the upper group, I normally get out of the way to avoid the mess.

Note that although these are a very good idea they are not actually DSC rules.

The Site Rules on the Flying at Our Sites page have now been updated and the following text added:

Flying SAFELY and CONSIDERATELY is non-negotiable!  DSC members, visiting pilots and guests must abide by the FAI Sporting Code on Thermalling Rules and Techniques (section 3 of this document).

If a you witness another pilot breaking these rules or flying in an aggressive or dangerous manner then:

• Try to identify the pilot and if possible speak to them. Be respectful and calm – not always easy!  This is about improving awareness and safety, not about blame.  The same comment applies if someone highlights something you may have slipped up on.
• If this is not possible or you encounter a bad reaction then contact a member of the committee (ideally the safety officer) and report the incident.

The ethos of the club is to promote safe flying practices. We ALL have an equal responsibility to police our club and sites and to tackle behaviour which is inconsiderate and dangerous.

Circuit. May help some of our club pilots get into the air on the intimidating days?

Just to say this is worth a look, can we adapt it for the DSC. http://wiki.flightgear.org/Howto:Fly_a_circuit_pattern

I wonder if it is worth making a DSC circuit paten around our Take off and landing zones. For example, traffic can only fly left to right directly in front of take offs like. Bradwell, Mam tor East, Rushup, Treak cliff,  (Mam tor NW may be only Right to left)

Steve.

@Hudson

Hi Steve,

Some thoughts from a new CP.

Not sure if the benefits outweigh the negatives? Circuit flying makes sense in other forms of aviation because it's generally quite easy for different aircraft to fly a similar pattern. With paragliding our circuit patterns will change drastically in differing wind conditions, and people flying high performance wings with greater penetration will probably fly longer downwinds, low class wings shorter. Meaning you could end up with the worse performing wings always turning base earlier and cutting infront of those with a better glide

@joecray

The Circuit I am thinking about is simply up to 100 ft above take off areas and up to 100ft out, Pilots fly with the ridge on their right? As it is now at take off we have to look left and right plus above and behind for plots overshooting top landing, As our sites become more crowded then is more order needed?

We could adopted the call TAKE-OFF idea used some places? Is it the job of a club to make flying safer for all?

Steve