Handicap Distance Tasks

I'd very much support this being tried at a US Regionals, or even local races.

I'm still wondering about tactical implications. If the task lengths are set by handicap and each turn is just a few miles further for higher performance ships I'd think the higher performance ships would be passing the lower performance ships on each leg, continuing on past the lower performance turn a couple of miles then turning and running them down again on the next leg so that the lower performance ships are almost perpetually markers and they don't get to turn the tables because right around the time the higher performance guys pass them they have to turn onto the next leg. Even if the course isn't out and return it wouldn't take much deviation to put the lower performance guys in the crosshairs after a turn.

If the purpose is to handicap the task length so that everybody flies the same task duration then I'd think if you start just a bit behind a lower performance glider you'd pass them up on every leg - assuming equal piloting. People do this a little bit in US AT and MAT tasking by going a little deeper in the 1mi cylinder than a target pilot in front of you. This would set that up by design and well-aligned with glider performance so executing the tactic would be even easier.

Not that it's a big deal, just that some of us Americans hate the using markers style of flying.

Maybe I just need to see how the geometry works out in practice.

Andy
9B

Well we(ASA) have tried these type tasks in the past in the form of Grand Prix where everyone starts at the same time (racehorse) and this year are doing it exclusively in our local contest here in AZ. I also have flown in a couple at SCOH set up by a former ASAer TS1. I like the race style as it relates to flying the same course and at the same time and knowing instantly where you stand in the race. Very exciting.

I remember coming in right behind KM in Houston about a 1/4 mile behind trailing in his water ballast flying a borrowed LS4 dry knowing that I couldn't trade altitude for speed and still make it back as we both were on a marginal glide. You just can't beat better pilots when your handicapping

The only drawback I saw was the race horse start can get a bit hectic if too many planes are in the race. Other than that lots of fun to fly!

Amen!