Optimising regatta starts

You better not start late in a GP, as the clock is already running.
You really must avoid an early start, as it would be an invalid start.

I make rough mental calculations.
First, I need a climb where to "park" reliably.
I compute the distance vs time. As I think in metric units, I know I
need 1 minute to glide for 2 kms at 120kmh (my best glide speed), or
for 2,5 kms at 150 kmh, or 3 kms at 180 kmh.
So for example, at 120kmh, 8 km out, means I need 4mins. That's 240
seconds, and less than 200 meters of altitude.
So, I can climb to start height + 200m, and start the glide towards
the gate 4 mins in advance.

Or, at 180kmh, I need 2min 40 sec, and roughly 250m.

You might be tempted to fly parallel to the start line, in order to
delay starting to the exact moment, but this would be very dangerous
as you'd be crossing other gliders' paths.

With this basic calculations I never started more than 10 sec late.



aldo cernezzi
www.voloavela.it



On Thu, 15 Nov 2012 22:10:05 +0000, Simon Taylor
wrote:

As I understand it, a 'regatta start' is where the start line opens at
a specific time and pilots are effectively penalised for starting
before or after this instant. If this interpretation is right, what
methods are used by pilots to estimate their arrival time, and what
maneuvers are used to delay arrival?