Wonderful. Good for them! Unfortunately, and sadly, I must point out that any supposed US Rule "assigned?" task(s) called today were not assigned tasks. Any US rules task which includes the word "assigned" is a sham. These are just "mini TURN AREA TASKS." They are what we will now refer to as.... "Assigned in Name Only" tasks! (aka AiNO). AiNO T-shirts coming soon.

Let's just be honest; ASSIGNED TASKS and Sailplane Racing exist today only within FAI competitions. They "boldly" feature an actual set racing course! Ironically, FAI assigned tasks are also commonly referred to as RACING TASKS. Not the case with any current SSA task. No sir. That is for a pretty darn good reason; it's because (drum roll…….) FAI assigned tasks often (50%+) feature sailplanes racing around a fixed racing course, in a thing called a race. US tasks simply do not do this, EVER! PERIOD..

Seriously, you should all try sailplane racing someday; it's fun! Don't let the good old boys scare you.

The SSA should probably consider refraining from using the word "assigned" to describe its current tasks. It might be better for all involved. The truth is that the SSA intentionally chose to abandon assigned/racing tasks (for us all), years ago and forever. Why hide from that? Embrace it! Own it.

THE US RULES MODIFIED AREA TASKS (aka MAT or HAT):
The US MAT/HAT is just a smaller TURN AREA TASK, but often with a cheap Nevada casino table at the end (or even the very beginning). The MAT/HAT (aka TURN AREA TASK), of course, allows each pilot to achieve widely variable task distances. The MAT/HAT is also MINIMUM TIME TASK, just like the TAT. So...how is this (assigned?) task not a just another TURN AREA TASK again?

THE US RULES "ASSIGNED? TASK":
Again, just another TURN AREA TASK with a little lipstick, cheap perfume and with the word "assigned" added like a cherry on top. Of course, this is also not a set race course. Each pilots distance flown can vary as much as 10-15 miles. The dynamic morphs from a pure race into a leeching exercise.. Do we not already have enough turn area tasks in the SSA? No room for anything else? This clearly proves that all we do here in USA/SSA sailplane contests are various flavors of the TURN AREA TASK. Mind numbing.

THE CRISS-CROSS-CRASH KILL ZONE(S)
Finally, within these US Rule compressed TURN AREA TASKS, when many gliders (the gaggle) is somewhat in touch when entering an AREA (often the case), an extremely dangerous and highly unpredictable "criss-cross-crash, KILL ZONE" is created" for our participants to enjoy. For a few moments, gliders can almost be coming from anywhere. In this designed chaos, gliders can easily find themselves come together at 90-degree angles, turning into each other, or approaching each other nearly head on while everyone is dealing with lots of relatively unpredictable traffic. This is not particularly...safe. This also is not a particularly brilliant task design. Especially with non-Flarm equipped or Stealth Mode gliders.

Personally, I prefer the safety and predictability of real assigned turns (in which everyone simply wants to get in and out ASAP, making for a much more predictable experience). This is, unfortunately, not the case in US rule MAT/HAT, 2-mile diameter "turn areas" of chaos, unpredictability, and chance! I digress...

In summary, you have (innocently) claimed that two "(not) assigned?" US rules tasks took place today. Yes, the word assigned was indeed used to describe these "things…" That is true. But let me suggest not letting the obvious (and obscene) misuse of a common, English word fool you any longer. Like flying purple unicorns, assigned tasks (and sailplane racing) no longer exist here in the USA/SSA. All we have remaining are flavors of the good old boys beloved TURN AREA TASKs. Cue beloved TAT banjo music…

AiNO T-shirts (high quality cotton/poly blend) $14.99. Includes shipping. PM to pre-order yours today!!!!!!!