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#1
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GlidePlan Experience
In my experience a good printed map is critical for establishing
situational awareness even in the GPS world. Over the years we have all done pretty much the same thing when flying a new site. We bought the sectionals, cut and pasted them together, manually put on the various waypoints provided on Mr. Leibacher's amazing website, slapped plastic over the whole thing and went flying. Oh wait, one for the crew as well. This was a laborious process especially for contest pilots. Along comes the digital age with easy access to electronic versions of aviation maps so I started experimenting with how to do this task electronically first using fancy graphics software. Then I came across software called GlidePlan which at first I was rather non pulsed about. But I tried it as this software makes it easy to find the electronic sectionals you need, import the waypoint file in SeeYou Cup format right to the map, apply the styles you want for the various points (say transparent red dots for turn points), adjust the point label position and font size and print the whole works out on your inkjet or take it to a someone with a big plotter. You can even scale the map down which comes in handy on those MAT tasks in the west where the sectional for the contest area is the size of a small tent. Matt Herron, the developer, is considering offering customer sectional chunks for specific contest areas which would be a plus. The interface is still a little challenging but I used the software to prep for the Region 9 contest and it worked well with the smaller WAC size map earning some points on the MAT tasks. BTW I have no commercial affiliation with GlidePlan its just useful software. John |
#2
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GlidePlan Experience
At 16:24 13 July 2007, John Seaborn wrote:
In my experience a good printed map is critical for establishing situational awareness even in the GPS world. Over the years we have all done pretty much the same thing when flying a new site. We bought the sectionals, cut and pasted them together, manually put on the various waypoints provided on Mr. Leibacher's amazing website, slapped plastic over the whole thing and went flying. Oh wait, one for the crew as well. This was a laborious process especially for contest pilots. Along comes the digital age with easy access to electronic versions of aviation maps so I started experimenting with how to do this task electronically first using fancy graphics software. Then I came across software called GlidePlan which at first I was rather non pulsed about. But I tried it as this software makes it easy to find the electronic sectionals you need, import the waypoint file in SeeYou Cup format right to the map, apply the styles you want for the various points (say transparent red dots for turn points), adjust the point label position and font size and print the whole works out on your inkjet or take it to a someone with a big plotter. You can even scale the map down which comes in handy on those MAT tasks in the west where the sectional for the contest area is the size of a small tent. Matt Herron, the developer, is considering offering customer sectional chunks for specific contest areas which would be a plus. The interface is still a little challenging but I used the software to prep for the Region 9 contest and it worked well with the smaller WAC size map earning some points on the MAT tasks. BTW I have no commercial affiliation with GlidePlan its just useful software. John Very useful software indeed. Not only will it fill in whatever waypoints (on an map LEGAL for cockpit use mind you) you import, but it can also set concentric circles around them, with altitudes printed for each ring that can be adjusted for your personal safety margins and whatever L/D you choose. Not only that, it can skew the circles off center to accommodate varying wind conditions as well. I also have no affiliation with GlidPlan, but agree with John entirely (and EVERY other pilot that uses this software!) that it is very very useful. Paul Hanson "Do the usual, unusually well"--Len Niemi |
#3
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GlidePlan Experience
GlidePlan was the sleeper hit technology at Region
9. I went with 20 printouts of the task area sectional(s) on an 8.5'x11' sheet with the turnpoint database overlaid and some final glide rings over Parowan. I gave a few out to pilots whom I've known for awhile on the practice day. Each day, more pilots came to me for a copy - particularly on days after a MAT task. I quickly ran out of my stash. By day three I saw copies blown up to 11x14 and nicely laminated - apparently someone had found a Staples in nearby Cedar City. Matt originally developed GlidePlan as an aid to new cross-country pilots, but more recently it has found favor among competition pilots who love anything that can help situational awareness on tasks. I know Matt would love feedback and input from anyone who finds GlidePlan useful. We have discussed many potential enhancements - including some really cool ideas. I encourage anyone with an interest in competition or cross-country soaring to download the trial from www.glideplan.com (buying a copy is even better) and help make the next version even more useful. I also have no commercial interest in GlidePlan. 9B At 16:24 13 July 2007, John Seaborn wrote: In my experience a good printed map is critical for establishing situational awareness even in the GPS world. Over the years we have all done pretty much the same thing when flying a new site. We bought the sectionals, cut and pasted them together, manually put on the various waypoints provided on Mr. Leibacher's amazing website, slapped plastic over the whole thing and went flying. Oh wait, one for the crew as well. This was a laborious process especially for contest pilots. Along comes the digital age with easy access to electronic versions of aviation maps so I started experimenting with how to do this task electronically first using fancy graphics software. Then I came across software called GlidePlan which at first I was rather non pulsed about. But I tried it as this software makes it easy to find the electronic sectionals you need, import the waypoint file in SeeYou Cup format right to the map, apply the styles you want for the various points (say transparent red dots for turn points), adjust the point label position and font size and print the whole works out on your inkjet or take it to a someone with a big plotter. You can even scale the map down which comes in handy on those MAT tasks in the west where the sectional for the contest area is the size of a small tent. Matt Herron, the developer, is considering offering customer sectional chunks for specific contest areas which would be a plus. The interface is still a little challenging but I used the software to prep for the Region 9 contest and it worked well with the smaller WAC size map earning some points on the MAT tasks. BTW I have no commercial affiliation with GlidePlan its just useful software. John |
#4
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GlidePlan Experience
GlidePlan was the sleeper hit technology at Region
9. I went with 20 printouts of the task area sectional(s) on an 8.5'x11' sheet with the turnpoint database overlaid and some final glide rings over Parowan. I gave a few out to pilots whom I've known for awhile on the practice day. Each day, more pilots came to me for a copy - particularly on days after a MAT task. I quickly ran out of my stash. By day three I saw copies blown up to 11x14 and nicely laminated - apparently someone had found a Staples in nearby Cedar City. Matt originally developed GlidePlan as an aid to new cross-country pilots, but more recently it has found favor among competition pilots who love anything that can help situational awareness on tasks. I know Matt would love feedback and input from anyone who finds GlidePlan useful. We have discussed many potential enhancements - including some really cool ideas. I encourage anyone with an interest in competition or cross-country soaring to download the trial from www.glideplan.com (buying a copy is even better) and help make the next version even more useful. I also have no commercial interest in GlidePlan. 9B At 16:24 13 July 2007, John Seaborn wrote: In my experience a good printed map is critical for establishing situational awareness even in the GPS world. Over the years we have all done pretty much the same thing when flying a new site. We bought the sectionals, cut and pasted them together, manually put on the various waypoints provided on Mr. Leibacher's amazing website, slapped plastic over the whole thing and went flying. Oh wait, one for the crew as well. This was a laborious process especially for contest pilots. Along comes the digital age with easy access to electronic versions of aviation maps so I started experimenting with how to do this task electronically first using fancy graphics software. Then I came across software called GlidePlan which at first I was rather non pulsed about. But I tried it as this software makes it easy to find the electronic sectionals you need, import the waypoint file in SeeYou Cup format right to the map, apply the styles you want for the various points (say transparent red dots for turn points), adjust the point label position and font size and print the whole works out on your inkjet or take it to a someone with a big plotter. You can even scale the map down which comes in handy on those MAT tasks in the west where the sectional for the contest area is the size of a small tent. Matt Herron, the developer, is considering offering customer sectional chunks for specific contest areas which would be a plus. The interface is still a little challenging but I used the software to prep for the Region 9 contest and it worked well with the smaller WAC size map earning some points on the MAT tasks. BTW I have no commercial affiliation with GlidePlan its just useful software. John |
#5
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GlidePlan Experience
GlidePlan was the sleeper hit technology at Region
9. I went with 20 printouts of the task area sectional(s) on an 8.5'x11' sheet with the turnpoint database overlaid and some final glide rings over Parowan. I gave a few out to pilots whom I've known for awhile on the practice day. Each day, more pilots came to me for a copy - particularly on days after a MAT task. I quickly ran out of my stash. By day three I saw copies blown up to 11x14 and nicely laminated - apparently someone had found a Staples in nearby Cedar City. Matt originally developed GlidePlan as an aid to new cross-country pilots, but more recently it has found favor among competition pilots who love anything that can help situational awareness on tasks. I know Matt would love feedback and input from anyone who finds GlidePlan useful. We have discussed many potential enhancements - including some really cool ideas. I encourage anyone with an interest in competition or cross-country soaring to download the trial from www.glideplan.com (buying a copy is even better) and help make the next version even more useful. I also have no commercial interest in GlidePlan. 9B At 16:24 13 July 2007, John Seaborn wrote: In my experience a good printed map is critical for establishing situational awareness even in the GPS world. Over the years we have all done pretty much the same thing when flying a new site. We bought the sectionals, cut and pasted them together, manually put on the various waypoints provided on Mr. Leibacher's amazing website, slapped plastic over the whole thing and went flying. Oh wait, one for the crew as well. This was a laborious process especially for contest pilots. Along comes the digital age with easy access to electronic versions of aviation maps so I started experimenting with how to do this task electronically first using fancy graphics software. Then I came across software called GlidePlan which at first I was rather non pulsed about. But I tried it as this software makes it easy to find the electronic sectionals you need, import the waypoint file in SeeYou Cup format right to the map, apply the styles you want for the various points (say transparent red dots for turn points), adjust the point label position and font size and print the whole works out on your inkjet or take it to a someone with a big plotter. You can even scale the map down which comes in handy on those MAT tasks in the west where the sectional for the contest area is the size of a small tent. Matt Herron, the developer, is considering offering customer sectional chunks for specific contest areas which would be a plus. The interface is still a little challenging but I used the software to prep for the Region 9 contest and it worked well with the smaller WAC size map earning some points on the MAT tasks. BTW I have no commercial affiliation with GlidePlan its just useful software. John |
#6
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GlidePlan Experience
I also agree the software is great. I saw the potential last fall
when Matt first announced it, and ove the course of last winter provided feedback to suit my needs. It's now working out very well for me. I print the charts in reduced scale, and create a 'map book' of 8.5x11 pages that I put into vinyl sheet protectors. About a dozen pages cover pretty much the whole flying area I'm interested in, with a 20% overlap from page to page so I always have a sheet pretty much centered where I am. Excellent product, and highly recommended for the seasoned XC pilot as well as for flying locally when coupled with altitude rings around the home airport. -Tom |
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