P2s and H2s: rotate observers!

[pink_albatross]

Hi y'all

The other day it has come to my attention that some P2/H2 was under the impression that s/he should stay loyal to his/her observer.
PLEASE DON'T!!!!

It is beneficial to both you, as a P2/H2, as well as to the observers if you work with a number of observers. You are likely to get more information the more observers you work with (more information = higher safety) And please do not be shy about saying "but so and so told me to do such and such!" or "but I read such and such". Sometimes what is applicable in one situation is not applicable in another or what you heard is not what the observer meant. Very good to clear up misconceptions and miscommunications BEFORE flight. Also, in general we observers do not mind discussing the same topic over and over again. We would much rather spend a few more minutes going over something for the umptieth time or answering "stupid" questions (should be a skill sign off: "stupid questions skill"), than spend the rest of the afternoon picking you out of a tree.

Observers are volunteers. I don't know why we do it - probably something mis-wired in our cranium. Or maybe we relive the joy of fresh new flight through you or maybe we feel territorial about the trees we pioneered and want to keep you out. But we also like to fly ourselves and observing often means delaying our own take off until pre flight discussions with the P2/H2 are complete and the P2/H2 is in the air. So, give your favorite observer a break and work with someone else every so often. You might learn something new in the process.

Exception (there are always exceptions): please do not rotate observers on the same day without clearly communicating with observer #1 and observer #2 first. Been there done that and Matthew still hasn't let me forget it - probably because it resulted in a synchronous chorus of chgpa heart pounding and my first XC (unplanned).

-- ellis
p.s. also please keep in mind that observers are not instructors. i.e. no lesson plan, no curriculum, no training (except for the school of hard knocks). We take our best guess at what is useful and timely information for you, which may or may not be what you need. In the end,you are the pilot in control and you need to take a pro-active role in your education - read books, ask questions. Feel free to ask questions of any pilot, not just the observer du jour. If you want formal education, you should sign up for clinics (thermaling, XC, SIV) offered by the excellent instructors throughout the country/world. However, the locals in general do have the best information on their own sites. Danger zones, lift zones, sinky air, how soon you should head out for landing, if you should worry about the thunderstorm brewing in the distance, etc.