2014 SSA/US Tasking Analysis

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