History Question About U.S. Tasking

Yep separate the men from the boys. There used to be more contest flying than having the best machine n following the computer. Them good ole days tested a whole different skill set including efficient crewing.

It might be worthwhile to remember where, “call it at 8AM and don’t change it�, tasking got started? Back when turn-point spotters were sent out to that days turn-points as soon as the task was set. Couldn’t change it because the spotters would be at the wrong turn-points. Cameras and now GPS scoring make things more flexible and changeable, got nothing to do with “real� racing!
Same is true for the finish line, the visual gate was the only way to precisely measure the finish time. GPS makes low, fast and more unsafe, finish lines no longer necessary, got nothing to do with “real� racing!
Flame suit on,
JJ

On Friday, October 18, 2019 at 5:42:06 PM UTC-7, wrote:
It might be worthwhile to remember where, “call it at 8AM and don’t change it�, tasking got started? Back when turn-point spotters were sent out to that days turn-points as soon as the task was set. Couldn’t change it because the spotters would be at the wrong turn-points. Cameras and now GPS scoring make things more flexible and changeable, got nothing to do with “real� racing!
Same is true for the finish line, the visual gate was the only way to precisely measure the finish time. GPS makes low, fast and more unsafe, finish lines no longer necessary, got nothing to do with “real� racing!
Flame suit on,
JJ

Good reminder John, some don't know the history of how all this started.

NK

We are some old goats....I feel like I entered soaring on the cusp of technochange. I am glad to have seen both styles. I was a puppy then.
JJ, Gary, Al, Sterling, Danny, Ross... all cast long shadows.

I only flew one contest with the ground panels and TP crews. Then radical new technology arrived in the form of Instamatic cameras!

Does anyone recall when:

Designated Launch became common? Soaring mag has several mentions of it going live in 1977 but was it optional at first?

When we stopped using the takeoff time board with those hooks, pesky tags, and rubber bands to keep them from blowing away?

No starts before 15 minutes after the last launch became the rule? When Designated Launch was introduced, the gate still opened with the first takeoff but there was talk almost immediately about changing it. I recall a day as late as 1982 where a bunch of the early launches escaped a storm at the Elmira 15M Nats while much of the field was still on the launch grid. Poetic justice was that the early starters glided out into a dead sky and the later launches were the only ones to get away.

Feeling old.

Chip Bearden
JB

Hi Cindy,
I remember when you, your sister and Doug were the SSA, back when Hq was in LA! Thanks for your service and for a lifetime dedication to soaring!
I turned 85 in August, but I’m not throwing in the towel yet, still get a surge when going over the hill and there’s 2 guys in our club that are older than me! Having trouble reading the numbers on my SN-10, so I made all the important stuff double size on my custom page, like altitude + -, time remaining, time to finish what I have dialed in, etc.
Bet I’m the only guy on ras with 50 hours in the B-29!
Feeling older than dirt,
JJ

On Sunday, October 20, 2019 at 11:47:46 AM UTC-6, wrote:
Hi Cindy,
I remember when you, your sister and Doug were the SSA, back when Hq was in LA! Thanks for your service and for a lifetime dedication to soaring!
I turned 85 in August, but I’m not throwing in the towel yet, still get a surge when going over the hill and there’s 2 guys in our club that are older than me! Having trouble reading the numbers on my SN-10, so I made all the important stuff double size on my custom page, like altitude + -, time remaining, time to finish what I have dialed in, etc.
Bet I’m the only guy on ras with 50 hours in the B-29!
Feeling older than dirt,
JJ

Ralph Woodward

11:53 AM (0 minutes ago)

to rec.aviation.soaring
Hi JJ, I just turned 84 in June - keep blazing the trail - I am right behind you -
so far you have blazed a great path - thanks -
WU

Youse guys inspire me!Â* At a mere 71, I see that I've got more than a
few more seasons left!

On 10/20/2019 11:55 AM, wrote:
On Sunday, October 20, 2019 at 11:47:46 AM UTC-6, wrote:
Hi Cindy,
I remember when you, your sister and Doug were the SSA, back when Hq was in LA! Thanks for your service and for a lifetime dedication to soaring!
I turned 85 in August, but I’m not throwing in the towel yet, still get a surge when going over the hill and there’s 2 guys in our club that are older than me! Having trouble reading the numbers on my SN-10, so I made all the important stuff double size on my custom page, like altitude + -, time remaining, time to finish what I have dialed in, etc.
Bet I’m the only guy on ras with 50 hours in the B-29!
Feeling older than dirt,
JJ
Ralph Woodward

11:53 AM (0 minutes ago)

to rec.aviation.soaring
Hi JJ, I just turned 84 in June - keep blazing the trail - I am right behind you -
so far you have blazed a great path - thanks -
WU

--
Dan, 5J