SURVEY COMMENTS-USEAGE

6 =========== Sam Zimmerman *AT* SPA Spartanburg,SC
intense use of all parameters. Integral to my contest forecasting. Increasing interes and respect for the ETA +1 and +2 FORECASTS. Univiewer a huge help. I cross check soundings at selected sites. I find the RUC to be best at boundary layer depth. I find the thermal stregth estimate in Blip tp be too conservative ( we tend to fly from "hotspot" to "hotspot" in high performance soaring. B/S ratio is immensely helpful. Cu prediction is getting much better. I can not sort out what you mean by OD. ?vertical or horizontal? or either? Blip is INVALUABLE TO THE AMERICAN SOARING COMMUNITY!!! SOARSZ

14 =========== ---------- *AT* Sheridan Il
I'm afraid I do not know the difference between an ETA and a RUC. Sorry.

24 =========== Lee Kuhlke *AT* Kelly Airpark
I dont really understand the difference between ETA and RUC and how the information is different. I usually look at them both.

26 =========== ---------- *AT* Alexandria, IN I-99
I did not use ETA models last year, but I plan to use them this year

30 =========== ---------- *AT* Mt. Diablo
I use the BLIPMAPS when flying at home, but most of my flying is in competitions, where I often don't have internet access.

38 =========== Daniel L Johnson *AT* KLUM, Menomonie, WI
I prefer that the colors be fixed for the maps of any single day -- to have the colors change from 18z to 21z sometimes leads to errors of perception.

41 =========== Dan Bourgeois *AT* Boulder, CO
Just started using ETA, the forecast range is extremely useful for helping plan around a work schedule.

42 =========== Morgan Hall *AT* Plowshare Peak, New Cuyama CA
As a hang glider pilot in central California, we fly a convergence site that limits cross-country potential and our flights are so short in relative terms (25mi on average, or out and returns) that Task planning isn't really an issue. If I was in a sailplane, I'd most certainly use the forecasts to assist in planning longer flights.

45 =========== Milton Hare *AT* Williams, CA
Very limited soaring in 2004. Flew in California and Utah, with ground observation vs BLIPMAP in Florida on the Gulf Coast.

50 =========== ---------- *AT* Van Sant Airport, Erwinna, PA
I get to soar so infrequently that the weather predictions become very important.

67 =========== David Grah *AT* Bishop, California
I loose track of which model I view. Over the winter I used BLIPMAP almost none and haven't yet refreshed my memory this year.

68 =========== John H. Bisscheroux *AT* Hawkesbury, ON Canada
I use this information in addition to tephigrams plotted from satellite information. Then I look at the sky, feel the wind and direction and study clouds, all of which leading to a "feel" for the day.

71 =========== ---------- *AT* Kars, Ottawa, ON
The 3 day forecast provided in ETA is very valuable as it provides a trend for the next 3 days. In fact, it is the only feature of ETA which I prefer over the RUC.

73 =========== James Bradley *AT* Crestline, CA
As a paraglider pilot, wind speed is a big factor in whether I can fly. After that I'm most interested in the buoyancy to sheer ratio and the hcrit height, followed by the thermal updraft velocity. In southern california clouds are not usually a factor, and when they are they are often considerably influenced by terrain. Perhaps for these reasons I have not found the cloud forecasting useful in my own flying.

74 =========== ---------- *AT* Sterlilng, MA
I look at ETA early in the week to see what days may be soarable. On days when I plan flights I tend to look at both ETA and RUC, generally finding the RUC a bit more accurate. There have been occasions where my club has organized weekday flying based on the ETA progs.

81 =========== Bob Gibbons *AT* Texas Soaring Association (TSA), Dallas, TX
ETA model is most useful to make the choice between Saturday or Sunday flying, since I usually can send only one day a weekend at the gliderport.

84 =========== Tim Larsen *AT* Chilhowee Gliderport, Benton, Tn
I always use the ETA's for for forcasting outward a day or two, then RUC's the day of the flight.

88 =========== Dean Chantiles *AT* Warner Springs, CA
I travel a lot so I basically have one day a week or so that I can fly. So unless it is raining cats and dogs, I so to the gliderport. BLIPMAP is great, but I don't go or not go based on it unless in conjunction with NOAA forecast, NWS weather, common sense and local knowledge tells me there will be no flying(too low ceiling or extreme crosswinds) or no lift of any sort(rare at Warner Springs).

90 =========== ---------- *AT* Ephrata, WA
Often Blipmaps and TIPs are printed out and posted on a bulletin board on soaring days at the Ephrata soaring clubhouse.

92 =========== Davis Straub *AT* Quest Air, Groveland, FL
I had no idea that there were some color options.

98 =========== ---------- *AT* Hyner
RE: % ETA & RUC use above - I check both most of the time. I check the ETA a day or 2 before the the day that I expect to fly. Then on that day I check the RUC.

101 =========== ---------- *AT* Ellenville, NY
I was unaware I could select fixed colors in the Univiewer. I use the Univiewer almost exclusively as it is very convinient however it does not display any maps on my Netscape 7.0 browser at work but it will at home.

109 =========== Hugo Vifian *AT* Hollister
I very much prefer to have the same color for the same value. For example BT 8000' should always be the same color for example blue. This way I dod not constantly have to observe the color code and scroll the picture up and down to see it.

119 =========== Kurt Strong *AT* Beloit, WI
I use the Blipspot all the time. It is very accurate.

121 =========== Philip Morgan *AT* Lawrence Field (Cherry Valley) AR
I have made my own web page which only contains links to Blipmap images. My goal is to eventually automatically download the images but I haven't figgured out how to do that yet. I have to click on each individual link to download the image. When they are downloaded, I use a different web page that i made to view the images. The pages contain information that you have provided but I can read the explaination of the photo while I am looking at it. I consider myself new to blipmaps because there is still a lot that I do not understand. Someday, I think I will just be able to look at the photos and determine what the day holds in store.

123 =========== Kimball Deor Jenson *AT* Moriarty, NM
I'm a flight instructor at Sundance Aviation, Moriarty Airport, so I usually get to fly regardless of the forecast. I also get lots of opportunities to compare actual soaring conditions with the BLIPMAP forecasts. Forecasts appear to be very accurate for central NM.

124 =========== ---------- *AT* Adrian, MI (KADG)
Usage numbers skewed for 2004 becasue of exceptionally poor soaring conditions in this area and no tow pilots of the good days!

126 =========== ---------- *AT* Hollister, CA
I only get half a day a week away from the family to go flying so usually I try to use the ETA to figure out if Saturday or Sunday will be the better day. But unless it is really bad I will go flying anyway regardless of the prediction. It just tells me if I will be flying acro instead of thermalling.

134 =========== Alan Hoar *AT* Black Diamond, Alberta, Canada
just started to use a viewer this year 2005

135 =========== Jim Ketcham *AT* L70 (Agua Dulce)
If BLIPMAP, winds aloft, NWS, SKEW-T, and short range ETA forecasts concur, it will be a good day.

137 =========== Ramy *AT* Yanetz
I use the classic colors out of convenience but prefered some a the varieties of the fixed color.

139 =========== fred wright *AT* heber, ut
I consult blipmaps whenever I go soaring and use the information in conjunction with other forcast and weather data. I rely mainly on personal experience for decision making.

140 =========== Jamey Jacobs *AT* Hollister, CA
I have been flying Sailplanes and Hang Gliders off and on for many years. The ETA forecast has provided the single most valuable tool for deciding when and what direction to fly. While it is occasionally optimistic, it is a spectacular advance in forecasting. I am flying more, and more effectively because of the tools you provide. THANK YOU!!! Now you have taken it to the next level with the RASP maps. I am shocked with the accuracy of the model. Subtle differences in hotspots, convergence influenced lift areas (east Quien sabe ridge versus east of the ridge has been accurately predicted. Same accurate forecasting has occurred for recent flights predicting lift in unexpected areas areas east of Hernandez all the way down to Avenal - amazing! My only request is to provide some local landmarks on the RASP maps.

141 =========== ---------- *AT* Highland Aerosports / Ridgely MD - Quest Air / Groveland FL
I live at the airport, so I find the ETA forecasts less useful. Back when I had a job, I got more use out of them. I use the SkewT for task planning. I find the blipspot forecasts of the most use... I like to see the whole day on one page. The winds on the blipspots are nice for showing students why we can/can't fly (blowing 30 at 1k feet when it's calm on the ground).

144 =========== ---------- *AT* Crazy Creek, Middletown, CA
Fixed colors would provide "at a glance" determinations, merely individual preference.

145 =========== Martin Hellman *AT* Hayward, CA
I find ETA very unreliable in my area, but look at it to get an idea of the future. If RUC were available as far in advance, I'd probably never look at ETA.

147 =========== Rolf Beyer *AT* Harris Hill, Elmira, NY
I'm still trying to determine whether RUC or ETA are better for our area. So far, it's a toss up. It seems to go in both directions, sometimes RUC seems more accurate, sometimes ETA. Personally I like ETA better. It's coming earlier the night before. I also like the longer term nature.