One thing to note FWIW:

WinPilot only helps with thermal centering when a (select list
of) panel-mounted varios is available to act as a source for very
accurate pressure changes, adjusted to compensate for stick-lift,
etc, by the use of the TE tube, etc. Their 'Advanced' product
gives almost all functionality of the 'Pro' and gets it's info
from any GPS - but does not provide thermal centering advice.
Pity.

1. If Winpilot thinks GPS info is an inadequate source for
predicting thermal centres, how can THEMI do it reliably???

or

2. Perhaps Winpilot could add this functionality to their Advance
product so that those of us flying without access to a
professional electronic vario (and hence unable to use Winpilot
*Pro*) can get at least as good a thermal centering functionality
as THEMI provides!!

Cheers,

Jim Kelly



"Doug Cline" wrote in message
...
I have used the Climb Maximizer feature in Winpilot Pro for the
past 5
seasons and have found it to be a remarkably effective guide for
optimizing
climb rate in thermals. The Climb maximizer audio feature,
coupled with seat
of your pants sensing of vertical acceleration, provide a safe
and reliable
heads-up guide to thermalling. Multicore thermals can confuse
interpretation
of the audio signals but this is ameliorated by a quick glance at
the
WinPilot visual display.
Doug V

wrote in message
ups.com...
Now, you probably wouldn't call me an 'expert', Chip, but I'll
give it
a try anyway:
WinPilot Pro has a 'climb maximizer that comes on when you
start
circling. I didn't spend money on it since it was part of the
package.
It does pretty much what "Themi" claims (same algorithm?). It
gives
you an audio tone to fly straight for a little and by doing so
guides
you to the center of the thermal. There is an elaborate and
well made
graphic on the IPAQ panel but we keep our eyes outside the
cockpit,
don't we! Comments: it works well and the prompts come when I
would
normally initiate moving my circle. When losing the thermal it
shows
an arrow of varying lenght to guide you back. Look at the
WinPilot
website for details. Best thing: you can turn it off!
Herbert, J7

wrote:
Being forced to fly occasionally in blue conditions and often
finding
myself low on course, I found this to be an intriguing
concept
(ignoring the fact that it's yet another way to increase the
cost of
competition). But I hadn't heard that any "name" pilots were
using it
apart from Tom's tests.

Does anyone know of any experts who have given it the
official stamp
of
approval (i.e., by actually spending his/her own money to buy
one)?
Chip Bearden
ASW 24 "JB"