Dennis Pagen<<ridgeliftguys1>>
writes:

Is it true the dead pilot had expressed concerns about class 5
tasks to the steward and safety people running Annecy?

Isn't it true that half of the class 5's are not even sanctioned to fly in a
world comp?

With all the bad weather, 50% unsanctioned class 5 pilots about, several earlier
accidents, conducting four simultaneous events plus paraglider traffic--- it
seems this death was avoidable.

Who is looking out for the pilots? Isn't the "management" supposed to do this or
is it all about revenue?

Hasn't even Jamie Shelden expressed concern about conditions, tasks and safety?

Maybe more will come out tomorrow - but please keep on this story. Otherwise
comps will be too dangerous for too many.

Now Dennis Pagen is the meet steward so he would surely know if
Masakazu had expressed concerns to him and would likely know if he expressed
concerns to the safety people (Raymond Caux, the safety director?, Arnold
Nadlinger, the ATOS representative on the safety committee?, others?). So why
the odd wording of the first sentence. I have asked Dennis, but no answer.

Since Dennis would be the one checking if the ATOS pilots had finished in the
top 2/3rd's of a CIVL sanctioned category 2 competition. Wouldn't he know if
half of them were not sanctioned to be in a World Championship?

It seems to me that there were an inordinate number of ATOS accidents at this
Worlds: a rotored landing with broken pelvis for the pilot, Tim King, one midair
over launch with a paraglider (both deployed), one midair with two ATOS pilots
(both deployed), ATOS midair with a paraglider over the LZ (tandem paraglider
lines cut, deployed, ATOS pilot held parachute coming into land), and, of
course, the death of Masakazu Kobayashi hitting a cliff. There was only one
other injury accident that I am aware of, with a sport class pilot.

I have asked for confirmation of what Dennis writes above. Jamie Shelden
couldn't confirm it. I have asked Dennis about why he worded his email this way.
No word. BTW, it is very unusual for Dennis to write to me, especially
encouraging me to follow a story.

I've communicated with Jamie Shelden. She is on the pilots' safety committee.
She said that originally Arnold Nadlinger expressed that he wanted the task
cancelled. The task was delayed and there was no further discussion of
cancelling. She feels that safety was a top priority of the organization. She
does not understand Dennis' email either.

Later Dennis writes:

Last year non-competition traffic was not allowed to launch during
competition. How could that accommodation be relaxed for the "real" Worlds?