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Old June 10th 15, 02:40 AM posted to rec.aviation.soaring
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Default Does this exist-- program to generate speed-to-fly table?

Here's what I want to do:

Input a minimum-sink-rate data point plus one or two other data points to establish a polar curve for a particular glider.

Have a computer program spit out a table showing the best airspeed to fly for variometer readings (not netto) of 200 fpm down, 300 fpm down, 400 fpm down, etc up to 1500 fpm down, for 0 mph headwind, 10 mph headwind, 20 mph headwind, and 30 mph headwind.

I only want to consider the best glide over the ground, not the best cross-country speed. I.e. a MacCready ring setting of zero.

This is to make a handy paper MacCready ring thing (but not moveable, and only a half a circle not a full circle) to tape around the vario of rented, borrowed, or club gliders. The arc will have three sets of numbers around it, corresponding to the 0 mph headwind, 10 mph headwind, 20 mph headwind, and 30 mph headwind cases.

Does such a program exist?

One speed-to-fly-explanation website says that "A really desperate pilot should set the ring to zero to maximize the area to be searched for a thermal.. ", so I guess I am a really desperate pilot, to be requesting such a thing...

S