Theory of control: conclusion

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My first conclusion is a generality: a control situation is limited in time and space. If you are in a situation of control you must accept to gradually lose your advantage and it should motivate you to try to increase your edge, not just to manage it. Furthermore there is no unique definition of control, it can be exercised in different ways, depending on the freedom left to the pilot under control.

Theory of control: conclusion

My second conclusion is practical. To determine whether you control another pilot lower and in front of you my advice is to apply the formula of loose control because you know all variables and the calculation is easy enough to be performed by head:

    Fc = Vmc / ( Vzmc + Vz(Vmc) )

The control glide ratio is the ratio of MacCready speed to the sum of expected climb rate in the next thermal and sink rate in transition.

In practice

Let’s take approximate values for the polar of your glider and a rough idea of the sink rates and expected climb rates at MacCready speeds (do not forget to divide your speed in km/h by 4 to approximate it in m/s):

  • At 40 km/h: Vmc = 10 m/s, Vz(Vmc) = 1 and Vzmc = 1 m/s
  • At 48 km/h: Vmc = 12 m/s, Vz(Vmc) = 2 and Vzmc = 2 m/s
  • At 60 km/h: Vmc = 15 m/s, Vz(Vmc) = 3 and Vzmc = 5 m/s

A quick mental calculation can be considered, for example:

  • I fly at 40 km/h that is about 10 m/s because I expect 1 m/s climb rate, I sink at 1 m/s on glide, I divide 10 by 1 + 1, that makes a control glide ratio of 5.
  • I fly at 48 km/h that is about 12 m/s because I expect 2 m/s climb rate, I sink at 2 m/s on glide, I divide 12 by 2 + 2, that makes a control glide ratio of 3.
  • I fly at 60 km/h that is about 15 m/s because I expect 5 m/s climb rate, I sink at 3 m/s on glide, I divide 15 by 5 + 3, that makes a control glide ratio of 2.

In practice, simplified

Finally, you can also use the formula of the generalized control whenever you fly at the same speed as the pilot in front of and below you (Va = Vb therefore Vza = Vzb), with the idea to let him search thermals while keeping him under your sword:

    Fc = Va / (Vzmc + Vz (Va))

Again you have at your disposal the values ​​of all variables in the calculation:

  • I fly at 40 km/h that is about 10 m/s because the pilot in front of me is on stand-by, I sink in transition at 1 m/s, yet the average climb rate of the day is 4 m/s, I divide 10 by 1 + 4, that makes a control glide ratio of 2.
  • I fly at 60 km/h that is about 15 m/s because I do not want to let go of the escaping pilot in front of me, I sink in transition at 3 m/s, yet the average climb rate of the day is at 1 m/s, I divide 15 by 3 + 1, that makes a control glide ratio of 4.

Choose your way to assess control

In case you are bored with the formulas or if you do not have availability in flight to make mental calculations, then remember by heart the proposed tables and if possible their founding principles. It may be more efficient for you to develop your control ability!

Perhaps we found a new way to distribute the leading bonuses: the less pilots you control in front of you, the more points you get! We can always dream. Incidentally, I remain in favor of a simple scoring based on time. As long as we do not get out of the principle that a task is always worth 1000 points, all changes to the system will only take in a pocket to put in another, it is a zero sum game.

End of control. I hope I caught your interest with these rantings. Now reach your own practical conclusions!