Handicap Distance Tasks

At 16:59 31 January 2016, wrote:
On Sunday, January 31, 2016 at 9:54:29 AM UTC-6, smfidler wrote:
The problem is that the USA uses proprietary scoring software (and
propri=
etary tasks and scoring rules which requires it). =20
=20
The scoring system for this new task has been handed to us on a silver
pl=
atter. But again, becuase here in the US we have are own unique
EVERYTHING=
, we can't use this great new task easily.
=20
It's fascinating to watch how many of us, here in the USA, can't see
the
=
forest for the trees...
=20
We simply need to stop trying to be different and join the rest of the
pl=
anet in common soaring rules (and scoring software).
=20
Problem solved! Oh if I could see the grinding teeth and clinched
fists
=
all over the land...
=20
But back to US clubs and clubs having fun independently of silly,
proprie=
tary, US rules and US scoring software. =20
=20
Drum roll............................................
=20
Simply use SeeYou! =20
=20
Ta-da! Close curtain!
=20
Morning tasking chores-
A) Call the task
B) Everyone gets various handicap radiuses to "level" the task!
(Another=
thought is a second later of calculation based on pilot experience...)
C) Go race and have fun! =20
D) Drop the traces into SeeYou and BOOM, see who won! =20
=20
A1) Or better yet, start together on a starting line (Grand Prix style)
a=
nd he/she who returns first is the big winner! Second home, second
place..=
..and so on. No need for scoring at all! Just go to the pub and buy he
win=
ner a well deserved pint!
=20
All this fun even while racing (set course) gliders of various
handicaps
=
(99% of us!). =20
=20
This would be a fantastic SSA task for regionals. It really makes a
lot
=
of sense (custom, relative assigned) and really gives everyone a fair
chanc=
e of truly competing level against each other (vs wide area tasks) and
havi=
ng fun. It is also very simple, easy to build and easy to manage.
Again,
=
congrats to the developers of this innovative task! I am going to try it
i=
n the spring with my gang in MI.
=20
Sean Fidler

At the Chicago Glider Club we started an internal discussion how this
task
=
idea can be used for our NISC (Northern IL Soaring Contest). Since we
allow=
anyone from 4 local clubs to participate on any given day during the
seaso=
n, I see some problems with Jim White's ideas:
- A computer-generated task sheet has to be produced for each handicap
leve=
l after a set of turnpoints has been selected (not possible for different
l=
aunch sites on the same day). Even at our club, we would have to do some
co=
mputer prep work, the task cannot easily be changed later on (i.e. in the
a=
ir)
- Loggers that allow for a task load have to be used, some here use
non-cer=
tified hand-held loggers.
- Pilots have to properly declare their specific tasks in their loggers.
T=
hat takes familiarity and experience that some pilots don't have and
don't
=
want to acquire.

The basic idea is quite convincing and should be tested in the US
environme=
nt. I like the concept of flying to narrowly defined turnpoints and the
fac=
t that it is not a min. time task. We do already limit start height
(4,500'=
) and start and finish radii.
Question to Jim White: do you allow for water ballast and how do you
accoun=
t for those flying ballasted in the final score.
Herb

Herb, we do not make any changes for ballasted glider as they are allowed
in all our comps using standard handicaps (except club class where ballast
is prohibited for another reason)