The DQ Tragedy
(Internet Published) Aug 2000
The heart breaking thing about a disqualification, is, that no only have the
hours spent by timer and owner been wasted, but the kit has most likely been
ruined. Any kit of tipplers that drops out of bounds will continue to do so
in future contests. Any kit of tipplers that fails to drop when enticed by
droppers and is subsequently out all night, is a ruined kit, that will pull
the same stunt in the future. Every time we put out a kit of Tipplers for
training or for contest we run the risk of ruining it. It is a definite fact
that if Tipplers are put out for such training and contests too often then
all will fail by dropping in other places, rather than on the loft top, or,
at least, within allowed boundaries. A kit of Tipplers at best, is good for
a couple of really marathon times. Most kits never come close to marathon
times but those that do, are at risk.
One can fly pathetically low times with one kit time and time again and that
kit will not be disqualified. Nevertheless, as soon as a kit goes into more
spectacular time this is when the risk comes. We must never overload them
over exploit them. A couple of really good contest effort and then that kit
can be detained for a contest or two in the following year. An experienced
kit detained that will only need about 3 weeks of re-training after a long
lock up. For the reason that I have just stated, it is foolish to have more
than 3 in a kit.
A kit of 3, disqualified and ruined, is better than having more. No rule
says that we must fly more than 3. The more we fly, the more we have to
worry about. In some cases a ruined kit, can be split up one defaulter added
to another kit preferably in another location but it would be most unwise to
try two of these defaulters in another kit at the original location. Another
aspect is that being disqualified does not always mean that they will not
make good breeders.
It depends on the disqualification. A kit that has failed without making any
real effort at a respectable time, is not worth keeping for breeding. Even
the very best do not always reproduce their own kind so the risk or chance
is bad enough without increasing the "odds against."
Finally, faults should be noticed in training. Careful observation will show
sometimes just one Tippler, that is dragging or lagging just a little and
maybe not all of the time but this one is the one that will in contest drag
the kit and be the instigator of a failure. Such as these must be taken out
of the kit and replaced as soon as possible. A larger kit is more apt to
split and it is essential that a kit keeps flying in compact order. As soon
as they drift apart, for no reason, then this is the start of a failure.