On Aug 5, 7:44 pm, wrote:
How do you guys deal with turn points with different radii in a "turn
area" task? I've been playing with my 302/303 and there doesn't seem
to be a way to set a different radius for each turn point. It would be
nice to get an "arrival" message for each turn point automatically. Do
you guys have to verify cylinder entry manually in this case (for the
302/303)? Or is there another way to utilize this feature of the
flight computer in a task with mixed radii?

Thanks,
Dave

What hasn't been discussed yet is how to manage the "distance
remaining vs time to finish" equation in a Turn Area Task - which is
the really big impact of the the variable areas, really. Since these
are all time-limited tasks, it becomes extremely important to be able
to "what-if" (both before the flight, based on a guesstimate of the
day's conditions) and in real time (as the reality of the day's
condition becomes apparent!) the time to complete the task given the
available area remaining, so as to finish just over the minimum time,
if possible.

Unfortunately, this is probably only practicable with a good PDA setup
(and any of those mentioned will do it), or an expensive glide
computer like the SN10.

And even then it can be really interesting, especially on a weak day -
there's nothing like trying to figure out time-speed-distance problems
in the cockpit when the lift is less than a knot and you are below
2000' agl most of the time!

Funny, how straight speed tasks, that only require a simple GPS to
complete, are not used in Sports class - instead the emphasis is on
time-limited tasks that really require some serious computational
hardware and software to be competitive...

Anyway - solution? Inexpensive PDA, free software, mouse GPS (or
connect to existing 302), battery pack (if needed). Can probably be
done for $300 or less. Set it up right and you can move it from
glider to glider.

Plus you get the benefits of a moving map with landable fields - a
huge safety feature and confidence builder, IMO.

Good luck,

Kirk
66