If anyone is aware of a "Soaring Composite Index" which incorporates
all of the weather factors relevant to cross country soaring, please
post details below or contact me directly. So far, I have Jack
Harrison's excellent forecasts for the UK as a model, but I'm looking
for other inputs.

Similar to the Harrison number, plan is to use a 5 point rating system
(5 being best) to provide high-level guidance for folks looking at
record or badge flights. The index I am working on takes into acount
all of the following at various weights to come up with an overall
number.

- Thermal strength
- Thermal height
- Cumulus cloud ("generic" convective Cu)
- Adverse Winds (shear, drift, etc)
- Adverse cloud (vertical/horizontal OD, Ci, etc)
- Day duration
- Other adverse factors (catch all for OAS [other assorted ****])

The index number is baselined on a "competent pilot flying a Standard
Cirrus". Obviously, the index will require site-specific
modifications (on a ridge? in the mountains? etc), but I'm working
first on making sure that we agree on what "cracking good" or "tricky"
really means.

Obviously, there's no shortcut to really understanding the weather, but
for those of us who have to balance soaring with other mundane pursuits
(such as working for a living), it'll be nice to be able to get a high
level overview with a single number.

Plan for the moment is to pilot this for the Governor's Cup in
NJ/PA/NY.

Erik Mann
LS8-18 P3