The latest version of the Flytec 5030 (and Compeo) software (version 2.21) has a
new feature, your declared route is displayed on the map. If you have activated
the Competition Route you see the start circle, the first leg of your task from
the center of the start circle to the first turnpoint (assuming an exit start
circle), and so on. You see your location with respect to the route and a track
log of where you have been flying.
Previously I found the map display to be quite useless and unreadable, but now I
can tell how far I am from the course line and what is the closest point at the
edge of the start circle to the course line. Of course one still has to keep in
mind lift and wind to determine the optimum point.
Both flights (in a smaller file download) here (KMZ).
These flight's were both made on July 17th in 2001 and now Google Earth is available to display them. A replay of the flights can be animated in Google Earth
here.
Manfred is planning on bringing his Swift to the WRE in 2006. Our plans call for starting the WRE on June 15th, but we are still looking for sponsorship to get the tugs and pilots out there.
The organizers of the US Nationals are currently in the process of applying for
CIVL Category 2 sanctioning. Oleg will be there as he always has been, as well
as Glen Volk, Dustin Martin, Brett Hazlett, and Bo. as well as other top pilots.
It will be another great competition and a lot of fun.
There will also be a Sport Class and Single Surface Class competition held at
the same time. If you are new to competition come on down and join us for a
great time. Enter the Sport Class and win some great prizes.
On the third task at the Sportavia International Open (http://ozreport.com/10.024#0),
I launched early and headed for the start circle getting high under a nice dark
bottomed cloud. I was in a position to take the first start time, but I wasn't
as close to the edge of the start circle as I would have liked and the first leg
was cloudless outside the start circle. I decided to wait and moved further west
to get lined up with the clouds six kilometers to the west of the course line.
I was alone when I headed out at the second start time and glided for 20
kilometers in fifteen minutes to get far away from the guys who would take the
third and last start time. This turned out to be a great move as I was out in
front and Dave Seib had to come further to the west to come in below me. Two
other pilots also joined us a few thousand feet below.
Leaving the thermal when I got near cloud base I headed south at 60 mph
over the ground with David just a minute behind. I faded toward some small
clouds to the east while David headed straight. When I saw him just ahead I
pulled in and went with him. Again, a good move, as he found the next thermal
and I climbed up to him so that we could both head out together and side by
side.
In the next thermal I found a bit better core and got a little over Dave, a
great position to be in, but then I left the thermal when it slowed down a
little but before we got to cloud base. I saw that David stayed with it and I
should have gone back, which makes for two mistakes when I didn't.
The point was that we were coming up on a turnpoint. I left when I thought I saw
a better cloud a few kilometers in front, but the strategy needs to be get high
before the turnpoint and I wasn't paying attention (but had plenty of clues).
After the turnpoint I came in over Attila, but as we were climbing up I left
with him when we got to 5,200'. Now we had been getting to over 8,000' so there
was no good reason to leave just yet. Dave was right above us and he continued
to climb. Sure I was with Attila, but felt then that we were leaving too early.
He was already going out in front and getting low because if it.
At the next thermal I didn't leave with Attila when we were only 4,200'. Attila
would land and I would hang on to find better lift.
The lessons: Concentrate on getting as high as possible before getting to the
turnpoint when you go from downwind into a headwind. Stay with the fast guy,
there is no need to leave them and you will all do better together. Don't go
with the fast guy when you are not comfortable with the altitude.
Since we all own one now, it's time to defend our freedoms
I hold a strong cultural value, that the press should be free. I
realize that freedom is not absolute, but threatening editors and publications
with death (ala Salmon Rushdie and the Danish newspapers) is not acceptable
conduct.
I believe that the most effective way to fight this is simply for every
publication in the world to publish (or at least link to) the offensive
cartoons. (Background
here.)
One of the cartoons
here with interesting comments from
his guy.
Another completely inoffensive (in my eyes) cartoon
here with good background there and
here.
I would publish more links, but these are the only ones I am aware of now.
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The Oz Report, a near-daily, world wide hang gliding news ezine, with reports on competitions, pilot rankings, political issues, fly-ins, the latest technology, ultralight sailplanes, reader feedback and anything else from within the global HG community worthy of coverage. Hang gliding, paragliding, hang gliders, paragliders, aerotowing, hang glide, paraglide, platform towing, competitions, fly-ins. Hang gliding and paragliding news from around the world, by Davis Straub.
