MATs

Having CD'd a number of contests with tricky weather, I'll give you my perspective.

1. I certainly agree that 1 turn MATs should be used (if at all) as very much a last resort. There are certain types of terrain where there are enough "self-evident" options that once you are at the declared turnpoint, it should be obvious what the one or two viable choices would be (e.g. dropping the fleet at Burnt Cabins on the Fairfield ridges, the only viable option is to go Northeast to one of several turnpoints). Similar situations exist at other mountian and ridge sites. That said, I would certainly consider NOT calling such a task and taking the risk that some of the newer pilots might be intimidated by second, third, or fourth turnpoints in a long MAT. Worth a deep discussion and I've certainly become more sensitive to the 1 turn MAT.

2. Another MAT that is very marginal is the "pick one of X first turnpoints" scattered across the map. To me, this is the most luck-prone, random outcome option. Frankly, I'd much rather have 3 options in the can up front and call the task in the air (e.g. Task A is a 2 turn MAT to the SE, Task B is a 2 turn to the NW, Task C is 2 turns to the S).

3. I've now called a number of long MATs, and the feedback I've gotten is very favorable. I strongly believe that an MAT where say 70% of the fleet doesn't even add turnpoints is a very good call. It's essentially an AST with some added tactical considerations for the end game.

4. I've been called an "aggressive" CD for some calls in marginal (weak) weather where I used AATs with relatively small areas. Believe me when I say that sending 25 gliders out and having 22 landouts in fields is NOT a pleasant feeling. With bigger (18M) and more expensive ($150K+) gliders replacing the $30K 15M/Std gliders of the early 1980s, the financial risks are very, very real.

5. The net of the above is that it's not the rules that are the "problem". I think more explicit guidance for CDs backed up with specific scenarios and alternatives might result in some "improvements". RC, I'll volunteer to document some examples and alternatives, if needed.

Okay - off to start shovelling out from the current blizzard. It's gonna be a long winter...

Erik Mann (P3)


On Monday, January 26, 2015 at 10:48:24 PM UTC-5, MNLou wrote:
Sean Fidler's contest tasking statistics were an eye opener for me. I did 2 contests last year and in both, only TATs were called. I didn't realize how common MATs were.

I cannot find any information on the strategy to use to fly them competitively nor can I find anything that gives one an idea how to set up a MAT in one's flight computer. (Nor how and when to change the task in mid flight..)

Any advice (or direction to documents) would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance -

Lou