Across the ditch in NZ we have been looking at the reasons we are losing pilots from the sport, in particular, those we have trained to solo and QGP, but failed to get them hooked on the cross-country drug, and they get bored and go off and do something else each weekend.
We have identified a 3-year dip, when pilots are most likely to leave. One of the potential solutions to this is some software we have developed called taskPilot. Put simply, it is a cross between the competition and display features of SeeYou, and the on-line aspects of the OLC. It is based around the idea of gliding clubs running leagues amongst their pilots, using racing and AAT style tasks set up for varying experience levels and weather conditions. A pilot can choose a suitable task, then access information created by experienced pilots about possible ways to do the task, review landout options and so on, and create a goal and a plan for the flight, rather than taking off and free flying and not going anywhere in particular. On return pilots load up the igc file from their flight which is scored automatically using a simple time and handicapped distance scheme, then displayed on the club league table (pilots can opt for privacy if they want!). Unless set to private, all flights are available for anyone to view. Pilots then have a way of measuring how well they performed. Traces can be reviewed and compared with other pilot’s traces to seek ways to improve. Where clubs have a single seater which is flown by a number of pilots for an hour or so each, then short local tasks can be set up for, e.g. the ‘LS4 class’ which are speed only, again so pilots take off with a plan. It is believed that by giving new minted pilots these tools to measure and improve their performance, and to land back with a sense of achievement, it will maintain their interest, hopefully moving on to longer flights, even competitions. And keep them in the sport. You can view the software here: www.taskPilot.org <http://www.taskpilot.org/> Click on ‘Help’ on the top menu bar and choose ‘Help with demo’ This will take you to log on details along with a walkthrough of the main features. If any Australian clubs want to get access, use the contact menu bar option and send us your details.
_______________________________________________ Aus-soaring mailing list [email protected] http://lists.base64.com.au/listinfo/aus-soaring
