Intentionally trying to produce landouts was a poor way of stating the objective. I think the real objective was to ensure that the top 50% of competitors were thoroughly tested. Back then (I believe) the gliders were of vastly different performance with no handicaps (correct me if I am wrong here). That is very different from todays pure classes (15, 18, Open, Std, 20m 2 place even Club and 13.5m). On the other hand, the SSA is now trying to absolutely prevent all land outs, even at our National Championships! This is resulting in WAY to many boring, short, luck influenced, OLC like , 0 or 1 turn MAT, wide turn area TAT, non-racing tasks. It is also resulting in, I believe, our best US pilots struggling at the World Championships. I believe that they are not getting enough challenging competition practice (in addition to being less experienced with FAI rules).

The deflating reality (see data) is that most US MATs (2014) have much more in common with OLC than assigned tasks. 50% of all MATs are HATs. That is one or ZERO turn MATS. If you look at all 2014 US MATs, you see that the overall percentage of assigned turnpoints to "unassigned" or "free" turnpoints, is roughly 30% assigned to 70% unassigned. So our modified ASSIGNED TASKS are, in reality, 70% OLC!

The only possible salvation is OUTLAWING short MATs. I agree with you that long MATs (enough turn points to ensure nobody hits all of them) allows assigned "like" tasks varying skill levels and even wide handicap range. When you have had enough you can just head home! I can live with that if assigned tasks were also called 10-20% of the total tasks. The problem is that very few long MATs are being called in the US (2014). Call me selfish, but I am not 100% worried about beginners. Im worried about enjoying competition with the experienced racers and improving as a glider pilot.

I have seen CD's and task advisors do a good job of estimating speed and "wrapping in" the later turnpoints (of a long MAT) closer and closer to the airfield to minimize the chance of landouts. I am fine with this. But again, long MAT's are actually extremely rare in the US. Only 21 of 63 MATS in 2014 had 5 or greater turnpoints! Again, in contrast, 31 of 63 (50%) 2014 MATS had one or zero turnpoints!!! So, 50% OLC MATS, 33% moderate or long MAT's! Sad.

This is damning evidence. Frankly, it is fairly embarrassing. No other country on earth (that I understand) does MAT's. Let alone 50% ZERO or ONE turn (aka OLC, HAT) MATS.

One turn or zero turn MATS should be (out of respect for our country) renamed OLC free turn point tasks. They have about as much to do with assigned tasks as an aerobatics competition. They should only be allowed in regionals. They should be "OUTLAWED" in Nationals just as the AST has been "OUTLAWED" by the RC in Sports class.

I have never heard of POST. Interesting. Thanks for bringing it up and I appreciate your comments. I still very much want 10-20% Pure Assigned Tasking in 2015 US Contests.

On Sunday, January 25, 2015 at 10:57:05 PM UTC-5, wrote:
Sean, I am a old competition pilot that was raised on assigned tasks, often quite long, and often called hours before the soaring for the day was evaluated by advisors. Charlie Spratt introduced the concept of calling tasks in the air based on feedback from sniffers or already airborne competitors. That was a significant improvment. Then came POST ( pilot option speed tasks) , then AAT's and MAT's. I have been a competition director or pilot numerous times in all of those formats. At one time the competition directors guide to the rules acutally recommended strliving for 20% land outs. The old way was not better for most pilots and definitely not better for organizers and competition directors. The MAT can do anything that an AT can do but better. The CD just needs to choose enough turnpoints so that the better pilots will run out of time before they run out of turnpoints and you effectively have a AAT while allowing slower or less experienced pilots to come home after any turnpoint and still get speed points.
The best strategy for a CD now, is to Task multi turn MAT's on consistant soaring days, AAT's on strong days with storms in the forecast and one turn MAT's for days when soaring is marginal and a task is needed for a complete contest.
Dale Bush DLB