Colin MacAlpine wrote:
The new glider is ordered and we consider what vario
to instal. Having had a 302/303 for 6 years; 4 repairs
and some doubts could you please let me have your experiences
of the instrument re the following to assist in our
decision - Borgelt or Cambridge.

1. Reliability
2. Wind calculation ( Intermittantly final glides are
mad numbers and the wind is at that point very wrong
)
3. On thermal entry it overreads then calms down after
a half turn ( Maybe our plumbing)
4. We have never been convinced that netto relative
works.

Many thanks , Colin

Crazy wind numbers in a glide means you're getting bad airspeed
information. This comes from bad pitot/static info, from a leak in the
lines, in an instrument sharing the lines. It can also come from a bad
airspeed sensor in the 302. All of these have happened to me. (Always
at national contests, of course) Check the 302 airspeed (one of the
later pages).

Undercompensation is another symptom of the same issues, especialy if
you're using electronic compensation. Of course regular old leaks in
the probe plumbing give undercompensation too.

In my experience the 302 can be a great vario, but it is sensitive to
plumbing.

John Cochrane BB