Glider computers - what's important?

On Mar 13, 8:32 am, "Paul Remde" wrote:
Hi Eric,

I agree that higher MacCready settings are safer. I have found that many
glider pilot find that point difficult to get their heads around

I never fly with my MacCready ring or speed director set to zero. I think
that is unsafe.

Paul you may need to be more flexible with your use of the MC
setting. Using a hi setting to estimate glide margin does not
preclude using a low setting to drive the speed director. Using a
zero MC glide is not unsafe, it's the only sensible thing to do if the
glide is marginal, but planning a safe glide margin on MC 0 may well
be unsafe.

As an example if I see my MC4 glide margin eroding to mins I'll head
for the best landable at reduced MC, perhaps zero MC. My MC knob is
not a fixed setting but a variable input to several what if questions.
What is my glide margin, how high should I climb in this thermal, how
fast should I fly a safety glide, how fast should I fly final glide.

With the 302/GNII combination, glide margin and speed director can use
different MC setting and be completely independent. You can also keep
them linked and set the MC appropriate to the situation.

The other use for the MC setting is to make the speed director shut up
when you fly at the speed you want to.


Andy