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What Is Wrong With OLC?



 
 
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  #1  
Old January 30th 17, 02:02 PM posted to rec.aviation.soaring
Sean Fidler
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Posts: 1,005
Default What Is Wrong With OLC?

Even OLC produces arguments about rules and fairness. I love it!

This is the problem with OLC and this is why I stopped contributing my flights regularly. It's fairly meaningless. I have lost interest. Comparing flights in two locations has zero objective value. Comparing flights on the same day (same location) in which one pilot tries N and the other S (for example) is meaningless. Comparing a flying site with a ridge or a "big air" western location vs a midwestern flatland location is meaningless. Pilots who launch early are going to get more miles obviously. Pilots who have a motor-glider can take more risk with potentially less hassle and fly father, later, no doubt.

But who cares?

This is why organized contests are so nice. Contest are the only means available to "level set" the many variables and make the flight comparisons between pilots valuable. Contest come in many flavors of objective value (FAI, US rules, Grand Prix). OLC is quite counter to the idea of objective measurement. It was fun for me a season or so until I realized that it was fairly pointless. No I almost never bother to upload a flight. What is the point? What is the value of uploading a flights to OLC? What does it prove. The only value for me was a logbook really. For me, just knowing for myself how the flight went (what went well, what I missed, what was learned) is enough. To share it on OLC or compare it with a pilot in TX or "wherever" (even a pilot flying at my home site on the same day) means little to nothing.

In terms of technical issues, I have never had any issues adding a flight or with my account although I do support the site with the recommended annual donations (smiley). Maybe that helps...

I think OLC is fine (a form of soaring social media really) but the comparisons made between individual flights or comparing annual "flying site mileage," etc are fairly (leaning towards completely) meaningless.

Online Contest? Not really. Not at all in fact. Online NON CONTEST. Or Online "not objective in any way." These are more fitting names. I have heard OLC referred to as "online pointlessness." Yes, I laughed.

I think a new, improved website that has better rules and requirements (such as a set task each day for each location and with a set or coordinated start times) would be much more interesting and far more valuable to the sport of soaring.

OLC has always felt intellectually lazy to me. I think so much more is possible. I'm many ways OLC has done damage.

Sean
7T
  #2  
Old January 30th 17, 02:45 PM posted to rec.aviation.soaring
Renny[_2_]
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Posts: 241
Default What Is Wrong With OLC?

On Monday, January 30, 2017 at 7:02:34 AM UTC-7, Sean Fidler wrote:
Even OLC produces arguments about rules and fairness. I love it!

This is the problem with OLC and this is why I stopped contributing my flights regularly. It's fairly meaningless. I have lost interest. Comparing flights in two locations has zero objective value. Comparing flights on the same day (same location) in which one pilot tries N and the other S (for example) is meaningless. Comparing a flying site with a ridge or a "big air" western location vs a midwestern flatland location is meaningless. Pilots who launch early are going to get more miles obviously. Pilots who have a motor-glider can take more risk with potentially less hassle and fly father, later, no doubt.

But who cares?

This is why organized contests are so nice. Contest are the only means available to "level set" the many variables and make the flight comparisons between pilots valuable. Contest come in many flavors of objective value (FAI, US rules, Grand Prix). OLC is quite counter to the idea of objective measurement. It was fun for me a season or so until I realized that it was fairly pointless. No I almost never bother to upload a flight. What is the point? What is the value of uploading a flights to OLC? What does it prove. The only value for me was a logbook really. For me, just knowing for myself how the flight went (what went well, what I missed, what was learned) is enough. To share it on OLC or compare it with a pilot in TX or "wherever" (even a pilot flying at my home site on the same day) means little to nothing.

In terms of technical issues, I have never had any issues adding a flight or with my account although I do support the site with the recommended annual donations (smiley). Maybe that helps...

I think OLC is fine (a form of soaring social media really) but the comparisons made between individual flights or comparing annual "flying site mileage," etc are fairly (leaning towards completely) meaningless.

Online Contest? Not really. Not at all in fact. Online NON CONTEST. Or Online "not objective in any way." These are more fitting names. I have heard OLC referred to as "online pointlessness." Yes, I laughed.

I think a new, improved website that has better rules and requirements (such as a set task each day for each location and with a set or coordinated start times) would be much more interesting and far more valuable to the sport of soaring.

OLC has always felt intellectually lazy to me. I think so much more is possible. I'm many ways OLC has done damage.

Sean
7T


Sean - First, great job in Benalla under very difficult conditions! I also appreciated your various updates from the contest.

Second, I agree with many of your thoughts on the OLC. Just one question, I have also thought that there were some real negative effects of the OLC that people do not talk about and I was wondering in what ways you believe it has done damage. Please tell us your thoughts on this!
Thanks again - Renny

  #3  
Old January 30th 17, 05:13 PM posted to rec.aviation.soaring
[email protected]
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Posts: 463
Default What Is Wrong With OLC?

On Monday, January 30, 2017 at 8:02:34 AM UTC-6, Sean Fidler wrote:
Even OLC produces arguments about rules and fairness. I love it!

This is the problem with OLC and this is why I stopped contributing my flights regularly. It's fairly meaningless. I have lost interest. Comparing flights in two locations has zero objective value. Comparing flights on the same day (same location) in which one pilot tries N and the other S (for example) is meaningless. Comparing a flying site with a ridge or a "big air" western location vs a midwestern flatland location is meaningless. Pilots who launch early are going to get more miles obviously. Pilots who have a motor-glider can take more risk with potentially less hassle and fly father, later, no doubt.

But who cares?

This is why organized contests are so nice. Contest are the only means available to "level set" the many variables and make the flight comparisons between pilots valuable. Contest come in many flavors of objective value (FAI, US rules, Grand Prix). OLC is quite counter to the idea of objective measurement. It was fun for me a season or so until I realized that it was fairly pointless. No I almost never bother to upload a flight. What is the point? What is the value of uploading a flights to OLC? What does it prove. The only value for me was a logbook really. For me, just knowing for myself how the flight went (what went well, what I missed, what was learned) is enough. To share it on OLC or compare it with a pilot in TX or "wherever" (even a pilot flying at my home site on the same day) means little to nothing.

In terms of technical issues, I have never had any issues adding a flight or with my account although I do support the site with the recommended annual donations (smiley). Maybe that helps...

I think OLC is fine (a form of soaring social media really) but the comparisons made between individual flights or comparing annual "flying site mileage," etc are fairly (leaning towards completely) meaningless.

Online Contest? Not really. Not at all in fact. Online NON CONTEST. Or Online "not objective in any way." These are more fitting names. I have heard OLC referred to as "online pointlessness." Yes, I laughed.

I think a new, improved website that has better rules and requirements (such as a set task each day for each location and with a set or coordinated start times) would be much more interesting and far more valuable to the sport of soaring.

OLC has always felt intellectually lazy to me. I think so much more is possible. I'm many ways OLC has done damage.

Sean
7T


Come on now, Sean. You are writing from your newly anointed lofty position as a World Championship competitor (my kudos, btw.). Why **** on the parade of all the happy pilots who feel emboldened and cheered on by the recognition of their peers after posting a string of or a single great flight? OLC has done more to promote x-country flying around the world than any single other vehicle, including badges, contests, what-have-you. Our sport would be poorer without it and your comment does make it in fact poorer. I would also like to hear where the damage and carnage is in having the option of posting one's flight to OLC. In my experience OLC is a path to contest flying for many new pilots and it makes them naturally becoming interested in going to Regionals. Calling the contest and with it the participants "intellectually lazy" is quite arrogant.
Herb, J7
  #4  
Old January 30th 17, 06:12 PM posted to rec.aviation.soaring
[email protected]
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Posts: 60
Default What Is Wrong With OLC?

OLC regards IGC files as their intellectual property. This means they are sitting on a very large basis for numerical analysis, and nobody can use it.

This is why I got involved with Skylines. I run a backup for the IGC files. Anyone wanting a dump, can contact me.
  #5  
Old January 30th 17, 07:32 PM posted to rec.aviation.soaring
[email protected]
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Posts: 463
Default What Is Wrong With OLC?

On Monday, January 30, 2017 at 12:12:48 PM UTC-6, wrote:
OLC regards IGC files as their intellectual property. This means they are sitting on a very large basis for numerical analysis, and nobody can use it.

This is why I got involved with Skylines. I run a backup for the IGC files. Anyone wanting a dump, can contact me.


I can download any OLC trace that is of interest to me. It may be time consuming to get large numbers of files but how many of us are really affected by this? Have you tried to get file dumps from Facebook or Google? Good luck with that. If you get a free service these days better be prepared for restrictions.
Herb
  #6  
Old January 31st 17, 12:07 AM posted to rec.aviation.soaring
Sean Fidler
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Posts: 1,005
Default What Is Wrong With OLC?

Please don't take my observations the wrong way. The idea of OLC was a great one but it is, IMO, very incomplete. It has not improved and is stagnant. It also has some perhaps undesirable side effects.

Just flying for mileage (free distance) is not really very challenging when you sit down and really think about it. It's fine, very fun at times, but don't we want some constraint capability from time to time in our fun flying?

One idea I have is that OLC or "SMFOnlineCommunitySoaring v1.0" would allow the local pilots to create a library of set tasks. Based on the weather forecast (weather would be tightly integrated into this new application) and the competing gliders performance, certain tasks can be automatically recommended or manually enabled. Imagine 100, 200 and 300km N,S,E,W. And so on. On a given day a group of pilots at a flying site could agree on and declare a task, then go try and fly it. Maybe the new application would also include a start open time to make the flight comparison more objective. Example, last glider in the group launched at 1pm, therefore no start valid before 1pm. A basic rule of set task flying which can be enabled or disabled.

Additionally, all forms of record flights and badges should/could be completed thru this new online system (declare task, submit documents witness, approve, etc). All online. All easy with beautiful functionality in a browser or via a very high quality mobile app.

The new system could also extract basic data from all uploaded flights (such as climb average) and automatically compare your flights with others globally who flew in similar conditions. Say 3-4 knot average climbs vs 6-7 and so on. Obviously, a flight with 10k AGL top of lift would yield easier distance than a flight with 4k top of lift. Or ridge or wave flights vs flatland. All of this would be considered in the comparison, categorization, conditions handicapping algorithm based on all the flights submitted over at a flying site on a given day.

I think that OLC is just way to simple (lazy) and what we all basically get, from a comparison of flights regionally, nationally or internationally perspective, leaves much to be desired. Almost worthless and highly subjective. This has resulted in many losing interest in OLC and the potential of the community is therefore fairly limited. Some form of automated "conditions handicapping" to better categorize flights flown in similar conditions (regionally, nationally and internationally) would be a great improvement. How can we begin to compare a flight in Mifflin vs. a flight in Uvalde or Minden or Chicago? We must first categorize the flight based on lift strength, top of lift, type of lift, etc. In many ways we simply cannot compare flights in these locations. A comparison has no relevance. That's the first step, flight conditions categorization would be very helpful, fairly easy to do and much more fun and interesting for all users.

I think a basic set of tasking tools to provide some objectivity to the flight scoring would be fantastic and would bring this concept to a new level. Free distance would be only one aspect of the new system in combination with basic set tasking and records. Perhaps even simple contest scoring could be added so that clubs and friends could run fun contests very easily. Also, interacted weather and automatic tasking recommendations based on skill level.


Yes, I do think that OLC has made some of us a little lazy. Many place huge importance on OLC statistics. I'm not sure why. Also, we now have fewer pilots taking the time to plan out declared tasks (area, assigned or FAI records). With OLC, it's just too easy to simply go flying and get your generic OLC "score.?" But what does that score really mean relative to another flight even at the same site were each pilot flew in a different time and/or airmass and around different turn points (let alone another distant flying site)? We also have far less US record attempts I imagine. Many gleam about "the OLC!" Because of OLC now much easier to just go out and fly "the easiest way." This results in many pilots flying much less challenging, entirely undefined cross country OLC "distance" flights (simply following the best clouds, and turning towards something better whenever the easiest path ends or weakens). The only game for most pilots now is to simply try to rack up all the easy miles available.

All this means that the idea of participating in an SSA contest (or even a fun club contest) with set area tasks (heaven forbid a MAT or Racing task) is going to be quite a shock. OLC may actually make the pilots who focus on OLC style flying a little "soft." Flying a set task requires much more problem solving skills and is often much more rewarding. We learn more. With set tasking we must figure out how to achieve the turn points (or areas), cross more holes, cross and reconnect with more lines of lift (rather than simply running straight up the most ideal area). With a set task the pilot must deal more challenges (the ideal OLC flight avoids all challenges as much as possible!). With set tasks we must learn how to change gears more, manage altitude, height bands and associated "trap" risk much more critically. Flying OLC all the time also gets pretty boring (for me at least). I feel more reward flying a set task of half the distance possible in OLC style flying on a given day.

I get it, OLC is easier and many don't care about contests or set tasks. That's a bummer. They just want to "use the day" and fly in the easiest, juiciest sky as much as possible. That's fine. But try describing this concept to someone unrelated to soaring someday and see what they find more interesting (set task or free distance). I offer that flying set tasks, once in awhile at least, might be a nice challenge (or at least a change of scenery, so to speak) and I feel it develops a "more complete" cross country soaring pilot. I think set tasks are also much more attractive to youth pilots. Set tasks are more comprehensive, more inline with international youth pilot focus and develops more skills, faster. It also prepared the kid for future contest or record soaring.

Sean

  #7  
Old January 31st 17, 02:02 AM posted to rec.aviation.soaring
Tony[_5_]
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Posts: 1,965
Default What Is Wrong With OLC?

On Monday, January 30, 2017 at 6:07:41 PM UTC-6, Sean Fidler wrote:
Please don't take my observations the wrong way. The idea of OLC was a great one but it is, IMO, very incomplete. It has not improved and is stagnant. It also has some perhaps undesirable side effects.

Just flying for mileage (free distance) is not really very challenging when you sit down and really think about it. It's fine, very fun at times, but don't we want some constraint capability from time to time in our fun flying?

One idea I have is that OLC or "SMFOnlineCommunitySoaring v1.0" would allow the local pilots to create a library of set tasks. Based on the weather forecast (weather would be tightly integrated into this new application) and the competing gliders performance, certain tasks can be automatically recommended or manually enabled. Imagine 100, 200 and 300km N,S,E,W. And so on. On a given day a group of pilots at a flying site could agree on and declare a task, then go try and fly it. Maybe the new application would also include a start open time to make the flight comparison more objective. Example, last glider in the group launched at 1pm, therefore no start valid before 1pm. A basic rule of set task flying which can be enabled or disabled.

Additionally, all forms of record flights and badges should/could be completed thru this new online system (declare task, submit documents witness, approve, etc). All online. All easy with beautiful functionality in a browser or via a very high quality mobile app.

The new system could also extract basic data from all uploaded flights (such as climb average) and automatically compare your flights with others globally who flew in similar conditions. Say 3-4 knot average climbs vs 6-7 and so on. Obviously, a flight with 10k AGL top of lift would yield easier distance than a flight with 4k top of lift. Or ridge or wave flights vs flatland. All of this would be considered in the comparison, categorization, conditions handicapping algorithm based on all the flights submitted over at a flying site on a given day.

I think that OLC is just way to simple (lazy) and what we all basically get, from a comparison of flights regionally, nationally or internationally perspective, leaves much to be desired. Almost worthless and highly subjective. This has resulted in many losing interest in OLC and the potential of the community is therefore fairly limited. Some form of automated "conditions handicapping" to better categorize flights flown in similar conditions (regionally, nationally and internationally) would be a great improvement.. How can we begin to compare a flight in Mifflin vs. a flight in Uvalde or Minden or Chicago? We must first categorize the flight based on lift strength, top of lift, type of lift, etc. In many ways we simply cannot compare flights in these locations. A comparison has no relevance. That's the first step, flight conditions categorization would be very helpful, fairly easy to do and much more fun and interesting for all users.

I think a basic set of tasking tools to provide some objectivity to the flight scoring would be fantastic and would bring this concept to a new level. Free distance would be only one aspect of the new system in combination with basic set tasking and records. Perhaps even simple contest scoring could be added so that clubs and friends could run fun contests very easily. Also, interacted weather and automatic tasking recommendations based on skill level.


Yes, I do think that OLC has made some of us a little lazy. Many place huge importance on OLC statistics. I'm not sure why. Also, we now have fewer pilots taking the time to plan out declared tasks (area, assigned or FAI records). With OLC, it's just too easy to simply go flying and get your generic OLC "score.?" But what does that score really mean relative to another flight even at the same site were each pilot flew in a different time and/or airmass and around different turn points (let alone another distant flying site)? We also have far less US record attempts I imagine. Many gleam about "the OLC!" Because of OLC now much easier to just go out and fly "the easiest way." This results in many pilots flying much less challenging, entirely undefined cross country OLC "distance" flights (simply following the best clouds, and turning towards something better whenever the easiest path ends or weakens). The only game for most pilots now is to simply try to rack up all the easy miles available.

All this means that the idea of participating in an SSA contest (or even a fun club contest) with set area tasks (heaven forbid a MAT or Racing task) is going to be quite a shock. OLC may actually make the pilots who focus on OLC style flying a little "soft." Flying a set task requires much more problem solving skills and is often much more rewarding. We learn more. With set tasking we must figure out how to achieve the turn points (or areas), cross more holes, cross and reconnect with more lines of lift (rather than simply running straight up the most ideal area). With a set task the pilot must deal more challenges (the ideal OLC flight avoids all challenges as much as possible!). With set tasks we must learn how to change gears more, manage altitude, height bands and associated "trap" risk much more critically. Flying OLC all the time also gets pretty boring (for me at least). I feel more reward flying a set task of half the distance possible in OLC style flying on a given day.

I get it, OLC is easier and many don't care about contests or set tasks. That's a bummer. They just want to "use the day" and fly in the easiest, juiciest sky as much as possible. That's fine. But try describing this concept to someone unrelated to soaring someday and see what they find more interesting (set task or free distance). I offer that flying set tasks, once in awhile at least, might be a nice challenge (or at least a change of scenery, so to speak) and I feel it develops a "more complete" cross country soaring pilot. I think set tasks are also much more attractive to youth pilots. Set tasks are more comprehensive, more inline with international youth pilot focus and develops more skills, faster. It also prepared the kid for future contest or record soaring.

Sean


almost all of our clubs annual travelling trophies require a declared task. we like it that way and you still get some nice OLC points to boot.
  #8  
Old January 31st 17, 02:45 AM posted to rec.aviation.soaring
[email protected]
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Posts: 133
Default What Is Wrong With OLC?

On Monday, January 30, 2017 at 7:07:41 PM UTC-5, Sean Fidler wrote:
Just flying for mileage (free distance) is not really very challenging when you sit down and really think about it. It's fine, very fun at times, but don't we want some constraint capability from time to time in our fun flying?


How about the time constraint of "daylight" - what could be more challenging than using the full day to its maximum potential than contests that just use the easiest 2-4 hours?

I like doing declared tasks but so many pilots are all turned off by all the complicated paperwork and requirements. It is hard to convince them to spend hours filing paperwork, and chasing down observers - this is where OLC is great - the convenience of just submitting an IGC file because that is 90% as good as a declared task.

Chris
  #9  
Old January 31st 17, 04:28 AM posted to rec.aviation.soaring
JS
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Posts: 1,384
Default What Is Wrong With OLC?

On Monday, January 30, 2017 at 6:45:56 PM UTC-8, wrote:

I like doing declared tasks but so many pilots are all turned off by all the complicated paperwork and requirements. It is hard to convince them to spend hours filing paperwork, and chasing down observers - this is where OLC is great - the convenience of just submitting an IGC file because that is 90% as good as a declared task.

Chris


Hello, Fred... Fred Drift, was it?
There is no paperwork to declare and fly a task. It is done in the IGC file..
But on OLC there is no reward for flying a declared task rather than making it up as you go along.
On crosscountry.aero there is a declared task score.
Jim
  #10  
Old January 31st 17, 03:31 PM posted to rec.aviation.soaring
[email protected]
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Posts: 463
Default What Is Wrong With OLC?

On Monday, January 30, 2017 at 6:07:41 PM UTC-6, Sean Fidler wrote:
Please don't take my observations the wrong way. The idea of OLC was a great one but it is, IMO, very incomplete. It has not improved and is stagnant. It also has some perhaps undesirable side effects.

Just flying for mileage (free distance) is not really very challenging when you sit down and really think about it. It's fine, very fun at times, but don't we want some constraint capability from time to time in our fun flying?

One idea I have is that OLC or "SMFOnlineCommunitySoaring v1.0" would allow the local pilots to create a library of set tasks. Based on the weather forecast (weather would be tightly integrated into this new application) and the competing gliders performance, certain tasks can be automatically recommended or manually enabled. Imagine 100, 200 and 300km N,S,E,W. And so on. On a given day a group of pilots at a flying site could agree on and declare a task, then go try and fly it. Maybe the new application would also include a start open time to make the flight comparison more objective. Example, last glider in the group launched at 1pm, therefore no start valid before 1pm. A basic rule of set task flying which can be enabled or disabled.

Additionally, all forms of record flights and badges should/could be completed thru this new online system (declare task, submit documents witness, approve, etc). All online. All easy with beautiful functionality in a browser or via a very high quality mobile app.

The new system could also extract basic data from all uploaded flights (such as climb average) and automatically compare your flights with others globally who flew in similar conditions. Say 3-4 knot average climbs vs 6-7 and so on. Obviously, a flight with 10k AGL top of lift would yield easier distance than a flight with 4k top of lift. Or ridge or wave flights vs flatland. All of this would be considered in the comparison, categorization, conditions handicapping algorithm based on all the flights submitted over at a flying site on a given day.

I think that OLC is just way to simple (lazy) and what we all basically get, from a comparison of flights regionally, nationally or internationally perspective, leaves much to be desired. Almost worthless and highly subjective. This has resulted in many losing interest in OLC and the potential of the community is therefore fairly limited. Some form of automated "conditions handicapping" to better categorize flights flown in similar conditions (regionally, nationally and internationally) would be a great improvement.. How can we begin to compare a flight in Mifflin vs. a flight in Uvalde or Minden or Chicago? We must first categorize the flight based on lift strength, top of lift, type of lift, etc. In many ways we simply cannot compare flights in these locations. A comparison has no relevance. That's the first step, flight conditions categorization would be very helpful, fairly easy to do and much more fun and interesting for all users.

I think a basic set of tasking tools to provide some objectivity to the flight scoring would be fantastic and would bring this concept to a new level. Free distance would be only one aspect of the new system in combination with basic set tasking and records. Perhaps even simple contest scoring could be added so that clubs and friends could run fun contests very easily. Also, interacted weather and automatic tasking recommendations based on skill level.


Yes, I do think that OLC has made some of us a little lazy. Many place huge importance on OLC statistics. I'm not sure why. Also, we now have fewer pilots taking the time to plan out declared tasks (area, assigned or FAI records). With OLC, it's just too easy to simply go flying and get your generic OLC "score.?" But what does that score really mean relative to another flight even at the same site were each pilot flew in a different time and/or airmass and around different turn points (let alone another distant flying site)? We also have far less US record attempts I imagine. Many gleam about "the OLC!" Because of OLC now much easier to just go out and fly "the easiest way." This results in many pilots flying much less challenging, entirely undefined cross country OLC "distance" flights (simply following the best clouds, and turning towards something better whenever the easiest path ends or weakens). The only game for most pilots now is to simply try to rack up all the easy miles available.

All this means that the idea of participating in an SSA contest (or even a fun club contest) with set area tasks (heaven forbid a MAT or Racing task) is going to be quite a shock. OLC may actually make the pilots who focus on OLC style flying a little "soft." Flying a set task requires much more problem solving skills and is often much more rewarding. We learn more. With set tasking we must figure out how to achieve the turn points (or areas), cross more holes, cross and reconnect with more lines of lift (rather than simply running straight up the most ideal area). With a set task the pilot must deal more challenges (the ideal OLC flight avoids all challenges as much as possible!). With set tasks we must learn how to change gears more, manage altitude, height bands and associated "trap" risk much more critically. Flying OLC all the time also gets pretty boring (for me at least). I feel more reward flying a set task of half the distance possible in OLC style flying on a given day.

I get it, OLC is easier and many don't care about contests or set tasks. That's a bummer. They just want to "use the day" and fly in the easiest, juiciest sky as much as possible. That's fine. But try describing this concept to someone unrelated to soaring someday and see what they find more interesting (set task or free distance). I offer that flying set tasks, once in awhile at least, might be a nice challenge (or at least a change of scenery, so to speak) and I feel it develops a "more complete" cross country soaring pilot. I think set tasks are also much more attractive to youth pilots. Set tasks are more comprehensive, more inline with international youth pilot focus and develops more skills, faster. It also prepared the kid for future contest or record soaring.

Sean


Sean, disagree with you on a lot of your points. OlC scores pilots in SSA Regions which are typically similar regarding geography and weather. Comparisons between pilots inside a Region are meaningful when looked at over a season. OLC has a Speed score portion that allows you to find the speed for the fastest 2.5 hours of a given flight. Speed Champions are determined for each Region and nationally.
Finally, OLC strongly encourages FAI triangles via a bonus point system. You will be badly beaten by a pilot flying a valid triangle vs your much longer flight using all allowed 6 legs (5 turn points) and just meandering around. Maybe you should look a bit deeper into the rules (you love rules, don't you?). I know a lot of non-lazy pilots who enjoy long challenging flights and like the instant scoring available in the evening.

Herb
 




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