Portmoak Pilot's Information and Airfield Manual

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====== Thermal Task Setting ======

This page is based on the task setting tutorials prepared by Liz Sparrow and Mark Davenport for the Apprentice Tasksetters for [[https://wwgc2022.co.uk/|WWGC 2022]], which is being held at Husbands Bosworth.

The files are zipped up as they are rather large.

===== Planning a Task =====

{{ :xc:tasksetting:ppt_for_3rd_jan_2020task_setting_2021.zip |Overview of Task Setting}}

As always, the slides for the initial presentation are not as instructive as listening to it was.  However the task setting 'method' comes down to:

  - Decide how fast one will fly, given the weather, glider and past performance;
  - Look at the weather:
    - When will be be soarable enough to fly XC?
    - What height will cloudbase be through the day?
    - Will it turn blue?
    - Wind strength at flying levels?
    - How easy to climb?
    - How long will soaring last?
    - Best area?
    - Any other weather than might significantly change the day?
  - From the two items above, work out how far one can fly.  If, for example, it works out at 320km, setting a 300kmm task gives a little wriggle room;
  - Airspace Constraints:
    - Sources of information - NOTAMs etc.
    - Airspace to avoid (vertically & laterally)
    - Advisory Airspace avoidance
    - Tactical considerations
  - Other points to consider:
    - Remember that up & down-wind legs fly better than cross wind legs;
    - Geology can have a bearing.  Around Moreton-in-Marsh thermals won't work as well as Stow-on-the-Wold.  The Cotswolds, Downs, Chilterns & Lincolnshire & Yorkshire Wolds are all free-draining, so they dry quickly and warm faster than low flat ground that holds water.  Warmth = thermals.  :)
    - As well as the bedrock, the Cotswold Edge and similar ridges can generate hill lift;
    - Towns, car parks, warehouses & so on are good thermal generators;
    - We are advised to avoid VRPs;
  - Plan a task:
    - Decide where the task should be set
    - Decide type of task (number of TPs)
    - Establish the Permanant and Temporary Airspace that will impact on the task
    - Establish likely start & finish times
    - Estimate likely achievable speed
    - Decide shape & distance
    - Consider implications of a better or especially worse weather than forecast


===== First Example =====

{{ :xc:tasksetting:homework_task_setting_2.2.21.zip | First Example}}

{{ :xc:tasksetting:2020-01-17-sally.docx |My solution}}
Portmoak Pilot's Information and Airfield Manual

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