Let's calm down a minute here guys. When does this happen? It's an iffy
day, the CD has thoughtfullly set up tasks A B and C, we launch the
fleet and start praying. The CD looks on the satellite and radar loops,
talks to the advisers, and realizes that all three tasks are hopeless.
But there is a sliver of soarble sky off to the southeast. We could
just get to X and back.

Now, what would you do? If the CD cannot call a new task, his choices
are a) Use one of the preannounced tasks. OK, here we go off in to the
thunderstorms, mass landout on its way. That's not particularly safe
either. b) Cancel the day, even though X and back is doable. This might
mean no contest in many cases. c) Force everyone to land, reprogram
computers, grid, and takeoff again. At about 6 PM.

Yes, reprogramming in the air is a serious issue. And every CD I've
ever seen call a task change in the air has been aware of this issue,
giving plenty of time and usually an extra safety reminder on the
radio. Smart CDs tend to call a simple task rather than a complex area
task in this situation. Wise pilots wait a few minutes to dodge the
programmers, move out of the start gaggle, and then rejoin. I've never
seen a CD call a new task and not give plenty of reprogramming time.

The ability to change tasks in the air has saved many a contest day,
and many a contest. And conversely, the one contest I've been to where
the CD insisted on calling the task at the morning meeting and sticking
to it no matter what was..., well, let's just say not a great success,
with the task deep in thunderstorms and the rest of the area
beautifully soarable.

John Cochrane
BB