SURVEY COMMENTS-GENERAL
The priority is actually weighted towards the eastern regions, as they get processed first.
But that the available time differs very little between regions since the processing time
is relatively fast.
It's on your UserInfo page.
One can always use the "pay by check" option on the subscription page
The news section is now much shorter.
6 =========== Sam Zimmerman *AT* SPA Spartanburg,SC
I use Bmapper along with Univiewer. Univiewer has obviated the need in
many areas. I do still find the grid by grid breakdown a little more
readable with respect to where trends are. At Perry,SC (Reg. 5,N)
this contest just finished, we found the RUC (Blip) to misplace the
strongest area by about fifty mi. most days(last day with front
approaching, the RUC was right on). The misplace was approximately the
same each of four days. The trend of an area of best soaring was
correct. It was displacedfrom west to the east each day. Not really a
surprise but an interesting observation I have encountered several
times now. My take of this is to note that trend prediction tends to
be accurate, but its location may, in our micro-perspective, be
substantial.
11 =========== ---------- *AT* Hobbs, NM Industrial
I plan to change to ETA when I re-subscribe.
12 =========== Wm. Arthur Lardin *AT* Thomasville, GA
Most useful modality to assess soaring potential I know of. I'm happy
to be able to subscribe.
13 =========== Chris Ruf *AT* laGrange GA
Is there anyway to get RUC forecasts for the east coast any sooner?
It would be great to be able to see them before 11pm east coast time
to know the forecast before bedtime. I suppose your priority is for
CA/NV because that is where you live but if you could up the priority
of 1 or 2 maps for the east coast that would be helpful - maybe just
the W* and Hcrit couild be given priority. I think you already do
this somewhat but just thought i'd ask for the ideal solution for us.
thanks and happy soaring.
14 =========== ---------- *AT* Sheridan Il
I appreciate all your efforts to kepp us informed and safe, thank you.
16 =========== Bill Richardson *AT* Warner Springs, CA
Dr Jack, Thanks for all the hard work, the Soaring community really
appreciates it. Bill Richardson 4W
19 =========== Jack Harkin *AT* Jean NV (Las Vegas)
Jack, I do not know how to thank you enough for the blipmaps and all the work you do!
Thanks
21 =========== John J Iacobucci MD *AT* Ionia MI
Now that I have been using Blip Maps, I can't imagine ever doing
without them. The single greatest addition to the sport of soaring in
quite a long time.
25 =========== Bill Whelan *AT* Frederick MD
Thank you for all the work and your commitment to this project. The
tendency is for people to take resources for granted including this
wonderful resource which your dedicated efforts have created. My hope
is that you get to fly more. Rgds!
26 =========== ---------- *AT* Alexandria, IN I-99
Indicate somewhere the terms of one's subscription. i.e. expiration
date.
27 =========== ---------- *AT* Avenal, Ca
Often have a problem discerning the exact colors that the map is
showing for the value.
28 =========== Rick Culbertson *AT* Kelly Airpark, Elbert CO
Jack, Thank you for providing this wonderful service to add to my WX
soaring tool box.
29 =========== ---------- *AT* Colorado
Thanks for your continued efforts, Dr. Jack. With Colorado's changable
weather, we need all the help you provide.
30 =========== ---------- *AT* Mt. Diablo
Very glad you are doing this. I want to support the work beyond its
direct usefulness to me.
31 =========== ---------- *AT* Moriarty, NM
Keep up the good work! Your efforts are much appreciated! Thanks
again!
36 =========== Robert (Bob) De Leon *AT*
I've conclude that the accuracy of the combined map data I use and how
the day was observed and flown is 75-80% accurate. I hope to lead a
club meeting disscussion to help others understand and start using the
service. Others in our club who use the maps are in agreement with my
assesment of accruary. At the Marfa TX wave camp in March, the WX
report at the pilot's meeting always included your predictions for
that area. No one seened to think that anything was seriously off
except their flying skills. Keep up the great work.
38 =========== Daniel L Johnson *AT* KLUM, Menomonie, WI
I can't imagine life without BLIPmaps! Well, actually, I remember
life without them pretty well, and I am grateful that they keep me
from assembling the glider for nothing, so that this hobby consumes
less of my family's time while I get better soaring.
40 =========== ---------- *AT* Arlington, WA and Ephrata, WA
I encourge the development mentioned of RUC (terrain influenced) and
wave Blipmaps. These are more useful for our area.
41 =========== Dan Bourgeois *AT* Boulder, CO
Paypal was sort of a pain. I've had an account with them that I used
once or twice, but forgot the password and had an expired email
address attached to it. Their site's restrictions wouldn't let me use
the credit cards from that account unless I knew the password... long
story short I couldn't get detailed forecasts for a while... (I
realize you can't do much about paypal, but thought I'd mention it)
Blipmaps are an incredibly useful tool, though. Thanks!
Dan
44 =========== Dave Kuchenbecker *AT* Ephrata, Wa
Tis is an incredible resource and it never ceases to amaze me how many
people use it. I have it sent to my work address and it allows me to
compare the local forecast with Dr jack.
45 =========== Milton Hare *AT* Williams, CA
It seems like if you had more computing horsepower and bandwidth
(still using dial-up?!!!) you would be able to process more maps more
quickly. Doesn't it make sense to ask for funding for 3 or 4 servers
so everyone can get their BLIPMAPs faster, and you can run more 1km
models? Or get the use of somebody's supercomputer somehow? Grid
computing? There has got to be a way to unleash the power of your
models rather than keeping them 'on the leash' due to funding
limitations.
I think there would be plenty of people interested in that sort of
targeted donation since many would benefit directly. When we used to
get the RUC forecast the night before and early morning the day of the
forecast we could really count on it - now the RUC comes out a bit
late for those who have to start driving early in the morning to make
in time for an early start.
BLIPMAP has taken the sting out of the statement 'should have been
here yesterday'. Now pilots know when great days are coming and can
decide if they want to take a day off. When the really great days
arrive the gliderport magically springs to life, towpilots show up
when they are needed and few gliders are left on the ground. Life is
good. Thanks Dr. Jack!
Best,
Milt
49 =========== ---------- *AT* Toronto ON & Clermont FL & State College PA
A quick link back to the 'how to interpret' woulod be useful
50 =========== ---------- *AT* Van Sant Airport, Erwinna, PA
I cannot seem to print out the entire BLIPSPOT form for Blairstown,
NJ. The right side is cut off. This is minor, though.
52 =========== ---------- *AT* Moriarty, NM
PLEASE PLEASE Keep these going! I have been flying for 15 years now
(I am 28) and my friends and I all agree that this is the BEST soaring
forecast available ever. It is absolutly revolutionary. Thank you
for doing this!
-Mitch Hudson
53 =========== ---------- *AT* Fairfield PA
BLIPMAPs are a great soaring planning tool. Please keep it up!
57 =========== Jim Fryett *AT* Arthur East ON
Thank you for providing this great service to the soaring community.
I like the visual quality of the maps. Once my season gets underway I
will be a full subscriber.
Jim Fryett
60 =========== Burt Compton *AT* Marfa, TX
"Marfa Gliders" is a year-round commercial soaring operation, so the
ability to give a good wx briefing to visiting pilots (with their own
sailplanes) and explain the Blipmaps to students learning to fly
gliders here is essential, so the "Dr. Jack" tools make me look quite
good! Looking back on the soaring day, we usually find your forecast
was amazingly accurate. Thanks! Burt Compton at Marfa, Texas
61 =========== ken grosh *AT* alliance, NE
I think Blipmaps are great - very helpful. I've even used them to
illustrate to non-glider pilots who are interested just what
conditions are desirable.
64 =========== ---------- *AT* Alexandria, IN
Love it! Thanks
65 =========== William Brown *AT* Byron, CA
Is it possible that BLIPmap has become less accurate? In 2003, it
seemed to be right on the money. In 2004, it has seemed to be
systematically optimistic, while still very useful.
67 =========== David Grah *AT* Bishop, California
BLIPMAP's are a great service to pilots soaring and otherwise.
68 =========== John H. Bisscheroux *AT* Hawkesbury, ON Canada
This and the OLC contributed most positively to shoring up interest in
soaring.
69 =========== ---------- *AT* Boulder, CO
I would suggest easier navigation around the site. For example it is
difficult to move from ETA to RUC areas. Perhaps a header/toolbar
would allow one click movement. Overall I am very satisfied with the
service. It is by far the most useful of all the weather data that I
access. Thanks for all your hard work.
73 =========== James Bradley *AT* Crestline, CA
This is an incredible service and an inspiration on many levels. I am
grateful! I would also pay three times the current subscription price
without hesitation.
More accuracy is needed, and more precision around mountains, I know
you are working on this in several ways. Surface winds would be great,
adabatic, katabatic, etc., but so much of surface wind is local
effects I don't know how you can do it. Maybe surface winds will help
people in flat land flying.
74 =========== ---------- *AT* Sterlilng, MA
Not a 2004 observation, nonetheless: Since we started operating about
April 1, I've found that the the lift has been fairly consistently and
significantly undercalled by both models. Typically they were saying
three to four knot vertical velocities to three to four thousand feet,
when four to five knot average climb rates were achieved to five to
six thousand feet, and sometime higher and stronger. So far these
have all been blue days, as the models or relative humidity have
consistently indicated, and I beleive that the lift has not been
terrain sensitive in its origins.
75 =========== Matt Herron *AT* Middletown CA
Blipmaps are EXTREMELY valuable, but I am still a wx neophyte, trying
to learn more and make better use of the blipmaps.
77 =========== John Seaborn *AT* Boulder, CO
BLIPMAPS are a great resources for the soaring community and have
become a critical part of preparing for each soaring day. My concern
is long term viability. There is a huge amount of work involved with
developing and managing the site but there is a very great amount of
value as well. I would hope that BLIPS move from a largely volunteer
effort to become a viable business using the subscription model. As a
viable business there will be impetus to improve functionality and
coverage internationally for instance while at the same time
preserving the functionality over the long term for use by the
community. My only other comment would be to consider scaling back the
one off (spots for instance) feature set to make the site more
manageable long term.
78 =========== Steve Koerner *AT* Peoria AZ
Blipmaps are an extremely important resource to me. Thank you for
doing this Dr. Jack.
81 =========== Bob Gibbons *AT* Texas Soaring Association (TSA), Dallas, TX
Continued great work Jack, hope your physical problems improve and you
are able to get more flying in.
Bob
86 =========== Richard Lewanczuk *AT* Chipman, AB, Canada
Thanks for all the work at such an affordable price!
87 =========== Robin Clark *AT* Herlong, Jacksonville, FL
I need to explore the forecasts more. There are people I can ask to
show me more on your site. All I look at right now is the 1800Z
forecast for the North Florida - South Georgia area on the morning I
plan to go fly. That helps me decide whether to fly north, south or
west. I'd like a forecast a couple of days ahead. The information is
probably there if I look for it.
In the future, if I solve a lot of other racing issues, I might like
to get spot forecasts for a contest site the way pilots like Dale
Kramer do. I don't have the technology to get the information at Perry
or Cordele, but I might in the future.
88 =========== Dean Chantiles *AT* Warner Springs, CA
Phenomenal product! Tends to be extremely accurate. Really interesting
to see height obtained and thermal strengths during a flight and
compare to prediction. Very rare bombouts are when wind came up much
higher than predicted and destroyed thermals. Otherwise, usually
SPOT-ON!!!
90 =========== ---------- *AT* Ephrata, WA
The forecasts in the Ephrata TIP are consistantly VERY OPTIMISTIC on
the next day's ( and the day after) forecast. When the next day rolls
around, the forecast comes back to normal. This renders the TIP
difficult to use as tomorrow's planning tool.
91 =========== ---------- *AT* Hollister, CA
Thanks Dr. Jack!!!
94 =========== ---------- *AT* minden nv
Thanks for making my flying safer and more fun. I'm a day pilot,
living in Nevada City, CA, which is two hours from Minden which is my
soaring base. Your short-term and soaring-focused weather forecasts
help me to know which precious day off to spend in the air, and which
to spend with family (and chores) free of angst about missing the best
soaring day of the season. Family trumps always, but knowing it
"wasn't that great" in the air makes it easier to relax and to enjoy
other nonflying activities.
95 =========== ---------- *AT* Ames, IA
Blipmaps are a wonderful service to the soaring community. I consider
myself above average at predicting good soaring from a forecast, but
the Blipmaps are a cut above. Where the Blipmaps really outshine me
is when the dog days of summer arrive, when the heat and humidity hit
the mid-west I use the Blipmaps almost exclusively.
96 =========== Tim Traynor *AT* Pullman, WA
BLIPMAP is invaluable!
100 =========== Mark von Roeder *AT* Great Lakes, Coldan Ontario Canada
I appreciate you hard work and would not want to miss blipmap. My
take-off point is 90 miles awy from my home and looking at blipmap has
saved me a lot of trips over the years.
102 =========== Mark Stump *AT* Mt. Magazine, Waveland, AR
Blipmaps are the best thing to come along in soaring since the carbon
D Spar. What a great tool for knowing how good it is and being able to
pick the best site. The information is usually right on. Love the
Blipspots the best. Everything you wanted to know on one page for a
specific site. Thanks for all your efforts. Sincerely, Mark Stump
104 =========== Norman A. Page *AT* Crystalair/Llano/CA
I believe the BLIPMAPs are a very valuable resource for all soaring
pilots and would personally be very disappointed if this resource
disappeared.
110 =========== ---------- *AT* Jean, NV
THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK
115 =========== ---------- *AT* Moriarty, NM
Thanks for making BLIPMAPS!!!
118 =========== ---------- *AT* Tullahoma, TN
Thank you for your service to the soaring community.
119 =========== Kurt Strong *AT* Beloit, WI
Your site has been a huge leap forward in predicting thermal activity.
I think back when I tried to gather data that was far from our site
and mostly worthless, and then make educated guesses about the soaring
prospects, and it seems like the dark ages. My flight time per year
has doubled with your Blipmap/ Blipspot availablity. THANKS!!!
120 =========== Allan Martini *AT* Petaluma, CA Minden, NV
I have been interested in soaring weather since I began soaring 35
years ago. Blipmaps are a whole new world. They are wonderful.
124 =========== ---------- *AT* Adrian, MI (KADG)
Too cheap. fee could be a lot higher and would not have any impact on
my subscription.
126 =========== ---------- *AT* Hollister, CA
The information you provide is an incredible and valuable tool for
pilots. My only wish is that you organize your web site more
effectively with a menu system so things would be easier to find
without having to bookmark so many pages. A simple menu frame on the
left side to reach registration, RUC, ETA, BLIPSPOT, WAVE, RASP,
etc. would be great. As I know from your site comments you are short
on time I might suggest going out to a contract site like
www.elance.com. I was able to get a good looking complete 10 page web
site with forms designed for about $400. I'm sure your user community
would chip in to cover the cost if you ask (if they didn't volunteer
to do it themselves, I know BASA has a couple web designers as
members, one of which is redesigning our site right now). Thanks again
for the great tool.
127 =========== Borislav Deianov *AT* Byron, CA / Truckee, CA
BIG thank you for your continued efforts and great sacrifices for the
development of the BLIPMAPs.
132 =========== Bob Ireland *AT* Williams, CA
I still think yours is one of the most amazing and useful weather
information synthesis & display/weather prediction products around. I
hope its development has been as personally satisfying to you as it
has been useful to us. Thanks Dr. Jack - Bob Ireland
134 =========== Alan Hoar *AT* Black Diamond, Alberta, Canada
It is amazing to me that I can get this much information for such a
low cost. I made a $40 donation which seems cheap to me for the ready
access to this information.
137 =========== Ramy *AT* Yanetz
1 - While all various models are some time more accurate than the
others, the RUC is the hand down winner in my area (Hollister). The
best improvement would be if this model was available the prior
evening, but I know it is not in your hands... 2 - Please keep
blipspots if possible. This is the last detail forecast I am using to
see the whole picture before I go flying. I would also appreciate if
we can have the Mt. Hamilton and Diablo (or Byron) blipspot back.
139 =========== fred wright *AT* heber, ut
A more simple explanation of use would be very helpful. Many of us are
not scientists so an explanation in layman terms would be
appreciated. I find that I and others I fly with usually just make a
guess at what the blipmaps mean.
140 =========== Jamey Jacobs *AT* Hollister, CA
I would like to have the forecasts available at or near the top of the
page, and have the majority of the commentary be accessed via buttons
or below the forecasts. As I fly a motorglider (Carat), I find your
BLIPTOOLS very valuable and anticipate this summer I will start flying
to different sites based on the forecasts. Thanks for opening up and
optimizing my soaring world.
141 =========== ---------- *AT* Highland Aerosports / Ridgely MD - Quest Air / Groveland FL
It would be nice to not have to scroll past the news to get to the
forecasts. I've had to explain to many people that "yes, you have the
right page... just keep scrolling... oops, wait, not that far... ok,
yes, that's it". Your work is very much appreciated. Thank you. Jim
142 =========== Linda Salamone *AT* Macedon, NY
Great job, keep them coming!
144 =========== ---------- *AT* Crazy Creek, Middletown, CA
MANY MANY THANKS FOR YOUR COMMITMENT TO THE SPORT. I haven passed on
your website to professional meterololgists, who have been impressed
and humbled. Your service to soaring is extraordinary.
145 =========== Martin Hellman *AT* Hayward, CA
Thank you for BLIPMAPs!!
146 =========== John Medley *AT* Crystal Llano, CA
I do rely on your service to make flying simpler. To me it is a one
stop shopping for all I need for an average flying day.
147 =========== Rolf Beyer *AT* Harris Hill, Elmira, NY
I'm happy to hear of your continued involvement. I hope you can and
will keep it up.
148 =========== ---------- *AT* Pleasant Valley, Peoria, AZ
Continues to be a great resource....even in AZ where it is nearly
always great soaring weather! It has been quite helpful in planning
which areas may be best esp in contests where we may have choices
e.g. AAT or MAT.
149 =========== ---------- *AT* Byron, CA -- Truckee, CA
Overall, the BLIPMAPs tend to be fairly accurate for northern
california. I don't understand all of the parameters yet, but I am
learning. I'm sure you probably have descriptions of what they are
somewhere on the web site. Also, I tend to use the ETA model almost
exclusively since it goes further out in time - it's a good way to
plan whether to go soaring on the weekend (and an occasional weekday).
Many other members in our club use the BLIPMAPs and they certainly
appreciate them a lot.
151 =========== ---------- *AT* Nampa, ID
Our problem in the Boise, ID valley is that the information is taken
from soundings done early in the morning 12Z. Things change radically
by noon local time and the next soundings come out after we make a
decision to fly. We find that the BLITMAP is very and I emphazise
VERY optimistic. I would guess that BLITMAP indicates that soaring
will be great, good or even possible in error about 55 to 60% of the
time.
153 =========== GORDON H. SCHUBERT *AT* BELOIT, WI
BLIPMAP is a great service and very useful. Keep up the good work!
154 =========== Paul Summerskill *AT* St. Catharines, Ontario
BLIPMAPS have once again proved to be a wonderful tool both for
predicting numbers and flights of migrating raptors, as well as
analysing count numbers. This past year I was asked to speak about
BLIPMAPS and Raptor Migration at Field Naturalists groups both in the
United States and Canada and have received positive feedback from
hawkwatchers and bilogists across the United States and Canada. I
look forward to the new 13KM grid as are many hawkwatchers and
biologists.
Thank you very much for all your work in providing BLIPMAPS to gliders and hawkwatchers.
158 =========== ---------- *AT* 3M5 Al
The access for a new user is sometimes a bit streneous. Nevertheless
thanks a lot for the great job that you made.