Please don't take my observations the wrong way. The idea of OLC was a great one but it is, IMO, very incomplete. It has not improved and is stagnant. It also has some perhaps undesirable side effects.

Just flying for mileage (free distance) is not really very challenging when you sit down and really think about it. It's fine, very fun at times, but don't we want some constraint capability from time to time in our fun flying?

One idea I have is that OLC or "SMFOnlineCommunitySoaring v1.0" would allow the local pilots to create a library of set tasks. Based on the weather forecast (weather would be tightly integrated into this new application) and the competing gliders performance, certain tasks can be automatically recommended or manually enabled. Imagine 100, 200 and 300km N,S,E,W. And so on. On a given day a group of pilots at a flying site could agree on and declare a task, then go try and fly it. Maybe the new application would also include a start open time to make the flight comparison more objective. Example, last glider in the group launched at 1pm, therefore no start valid before 1pm. A basic rule of set task flying which can be enabled or disabled.

Additionally, all forms of record flights and badges should/could be completed thru this new online system (declare task, submit documents witness, approve, etc). All online. All easy with beautiful functionality in a browser or via a very high quality mobile app.

The new system could also extract basic data from all uploaded flights (such as climb average) and automatically compare your flights with others globally who flew in similar conditions. Say 3-4 knot average climbs vs 6-7 and so on. Obviously, a flight with 10k AGL top of lift would yield easier distance than a flight with 4k top of lift. Or ridge or wave flights vs flatland. All of this would be considered in the comparison, categorization, conditions handicapping algorithm based on all the flights submitted over at a flying site on a given day.

I think that OLC is just way to simple (lazy) and what we all basically get, from a comparison of flights regionally, nationally or internationally perspective, leaves much to be desired. Almost worthless and highly subjective. This has resulted in many losing interest in OLC and the potential of the community is therefore fairly limited. Some form of automated "conditions handicapping" to better categorize flights flown in similar conditions (regionally, nationally and internationally) would be a great improvement. How can we begin to compare a flight in Mifflin vs. a flight in Uvalde or Minden or Chicago? We must first categorize the flight based on lift strength, top of lift, type of lift, etc. In many ways we simply cannot compare flights in these locations. A comparison has no relevance. That's the first step, flight conditions categorization would be very helpful, fairly easy to do and much more fun and interesting for all users.

I think a basic set of tasking tools to provide some objectivity to the flight scoring would be fantastic and would bring this concept to a new level. Free distance would be only one aspect of the new system in combination with basic set tasking and records. Perhaps even simple contest scoring could be added so that clubs and friends could run fun contests very easily. Also, interacted weather and automatic tasking recommendations based on skill level.


Yes, I do think that OLC has made some of us a little lazy. Many place huge importance on OLC statistics. I'm not sure why. Also, we now have fewer pilots taking the time to plan out declared tasks (area, assigned or FAI records). With OLC, it's just too easy to simply go flying and get your generic OLC "score.?" But what does that score really mean relative to another flight even at the same site were each pilot flew in a different time and/or airmass and around different turn points (let alone another distant flying site)? We also have far less US record attempts I imagine. Many gleam about "the OLC!" Because of OLC now much easier to just go out and fly "the easiest way." This results in many pilots flying much less challenging, entirely undefined cross country OLC "distance" flights (simply following the best clouds, and turning towards something better whenever the easiest path ends or weakens). The only game for most pilots now is to simply try to rack up all the easy miles available.

All this means that the idea of participating in an SSA contest (or even a fun club contest) with set area tasks (heaven forbid a MAT or Racing task) is going to be quite a shock. OLC may actually make the pilots who focus on OLC style flying a little "soft." Flying a set task requires much more problem solving skills and is often much more rewarding. We learn more. With set tasking we must figure out how to achieve the turn points (or areas), cross more holes, cross and reconnect with more lines of lift (rather than simply running straight up the most ideal area). With a set task the pilot must deal more challenges (the ideal OLC flight avoids all challenges as much as possible!). With set tasks we must learn how to change gears more, manage altitude, height bands and associated "trap" risk much more critically. Flying OLC all the time also gets pretty boring (for me at least). I feel more reward flying a set task of half the distance possible in OLC style flying on a given day.

I get it, OLC is easier and many don't care about contests or set tasks. That's a bummer. They just want to "use the day" and fly in the easiest, juiciest sky as much as possible. That's fine. But try describing this concept to someone unrelated to soaring someday and see what they find more interesting (set task or free distance). I offer that flying set tasks, once in awhile at least, might be a nice challenge (or at least a change of scenery, so to speak) and I feel it develops a "more complete" cross country soaring pilot. I think set tasks are also much more attractive to youth pilots. Set tasks are more comprehensive, more inline with international youth pilot focus and develops more skills, faster. It also prepared the kid for future contest or record soaring.

Sean