On Dec 17, 10:40 am, "Paul Remde" wrote:
Hi John,

I talk to a lot of U.S. glider pilots about soaring software. Most
(including myself) seem to prefer track up when cruising and North up when
circling. I like the map to correspond to what I see out the window while
cruising. However, while thermalling I like the map position fixed rather
than rotating. I like that SeeYou Mobile and other software programs can
make the switch automatically.


Paul,

I can only imagine how many times a day you talk to pilots about
soaring software! That being said, it seems that most people that
have responded to this thread, save yourself and those you speak for,
are using track/nose up. Hmmmm.

When I argue this point I talk about reducing the complexity of
routine flying activities so that I can concentrate and optimize those
actions that are really important. Driving is like that. After years
of practice, you no longer actively think about most routine driving
actions, which leaves you to actively think about the critical
aspects. After a while you instinctively knew that that car up ahead
is going to cut you off by some suptle indication which you are
probably unaware of, and you find yourself taking evasive action
without even thinking. If you have ever trained a teenager to drive,
you will remember their concentration on the really small things
("Dad, which peddle does what?") and forget about the REALLY important
things (like staying in their lane! Yikes!). Do you actively think
about the ruddle pedals and the stick when you fly anymore? I doubt
it. But I digress.

So picture yourself thermalling. Ahhhh. Of course optimizing the
thermal is critical to our sport. But there are other constants like
avoiding ships in the gaggle, maintaining coordinated flight, playing
what-ifs on the task, and...navigating...these are all secondary to
staying aloft. If I can simplify one task, I can concentrate more
fully on others. Great soaring pilots do nearly everything so second
nature that thermalling is now a secondary task and their mind can now
concentrate on even higher level issues like tactics.

OK, lets think about using north-up. My mind would be saying
something like, "I am pointing south-east because the compass says so
(or the glider icon) and I want to roll out north. Now, which
direction am I thermalling? Are there 90 degress or 270 degrees to
go? Ok, 270 degrees away, I should be there in 15 seconds. Wait, I
just went into sink, let's change that bank angle. Where was north
again? Darn, in the Midwest every direction looks identical! Oops,
I missed my exit point. I'll have to take one more circle at the top
of this thermal in weak lift. Didn't Moffat say that was a no-no?
Now, why ARE those other pilots leaving this thermal so soon?"

Now, let's review thermalling with track-up. My navigation brain mind
is saying, "I glanced at my PDA and that BIG BLACK LINE is rotating
towards me (or away from me). When it is within about 10 degrees,
I'll start rolling out and speed up. Glance again. Here the line
comes and here I go. Now, what ARE those other pilots doing sticking
around?" I would contend that this is the simpler approach and
removes a navigational complexity so that I can concentrate on the
more critical constrains of soaring...like staying aloft.

So, the bottom line is that you will probably continue to do whatever
is most comfortable for yourself. But maybe next time my words will
come back to you and you might try flying heading-up. Who knows.
Come on SPRING! My $0.02.

- John DeRosa