chip.bearden

I suspect we're talking about two different situations. The Uvalde
example I used involved a mechanical issue. The tow pilot was highly
experienced and qualified and also a very respected competition pilot
who has flown some of the most sophisticated sailplanes in the
world...with and without water ballast. :) And it was a one-time
incident, not something that recurred all day.

I agree there is a danger that the FAA and others, including
journalists, could get the wrong impression from reading RAS. Most of
us are knowledgeable and know not to believe everything we read on
this forum. Many of us also know some of the posters personally and
can read between the lines, so to speak. And we probably all have our
lists of "must read" and "ignore" authors. Not all of the above is
necessarily true for the FAA, journalists, and other "outsiders" who
may draw the wrong impression from speculative or downright
misinformed comments, or from opinions packaged as facts.

Just be careful what you say. This is an open frequency, not a members-
only club (to mix metaphors).

Chip Bearden
ASW 24 "JB"
USA