Why don't flight computers adjust STF for wind?

On Saturday, January 11, 2014 2:35:45 AM UTC-5, Chris Rollings wrote:
If you are gliding from one thermal to another, optimum speed is the same
whether you are going into wind, downwind or no wind, it just depends on
the rate of climb achieved in the next thermal. If you are gliding to a
point on the ground, final glide or round a turn-point, then optimum speed
will be higher into wind than downwind.

Then, on Saturday, January 11, 2014 4:18:33 PM UTC-6, Kevin Christner wrote:
This is true from an optimal speed perspective. Kawa and Brigliodori's point
(I think) has to do with increasing search range. Flying faster upwind and
slower downwind increases your search range. Also, if you've ever looked at a
graph for flying slightly faster or slower than optimum MC bumping up or down
one know has very little effect on total speed. Finding a better thermal (or
a thermal at all) would make you faster or keep you from going Aux Vauche....
Thoughts? 2C

Take your polar, see what your speed is for MC3. Let's say it is 75 knots. Calculate your L/D from the polar. Now, fly into a headwind, say 5 knots, and determine your L/D over the ground. Now, check your L/D flying at 80 knots into that same 5 knot headwind. Did your L/D go up or down? Try adding another 5 knots to the cruise speed and see what happens with your L/D.. Try subtracting 5 knots and calculate your L/D Now, bump the headwind to 10 knots, then 15, and 20. Figure out how strong the headwind has to be for your L/D to actually go UP by flying at 80 or 85 knots indicated versus 75 knots indicated. Think you will find that flying faster into the wind will only increases your search range when the MC is low and the wind speed is high.

As for increasing your search range when flying down wind, why slow down since you have the tailwind increasing your search range?

But, those are increasing glide distance over the ground, which is not the same as maximizing cross country speed.

And, as BB said, MC for final glide is climb rate for your last thermal. Not more if the final glide will be into the wind. Altitude required increases for a headwind, but speed to be flown does not change because of wind.

Steve Leonard