FES, MOP, Winscore and motor runs

[Jamie Shore]

It seems that Winscore can misinterpret a normal, motor not running, MOP (means of propulsion) as a motor run. I've sent two igc files to both the MOP sensor manufacturer, LXNAV, and Luka. They both say that the system is working as designed. Two out of two scorers at contests that I have attended tell me that Winscore is showing motor runs when I did not use it. The problem seems to be Winscore. Kudos to both LXNAV and Luka. I sent my questions at 10pm EDT Monday eve and I had answers by 4am EDT Tue morning. Wow - great service - thanks!

The above pretty much sums up what I think that I know of the big picture. If you love details, here is more....

I am getting non-zero MOP values in my igc files, as viewed in SeeYou for my mini Lak FES. When the motor is not running the MOP values are between 40-70. When the motor is running on a low power setting, the MOP jumps into the 100s and 200s. Some of the Q&A between LXNAV, Luka and myself:

1. Should MOP be zero when the FES is not running? NO
2. MOP Units? awaiting answer
3. Why are baseline no-motor-running MOP values different for different flights and different gliders? awaiting answer

See the attached two files. 

I am at a contest this week and the scorer was initially not happy with the non-zero MOP. I compared the MOP values closely on Sunday's flight (two, brief motor runs) to Monday's flight (no in-flight motor runs). I found the following tidbits regarding MOP:

1. Sunday- two brief motor runs after release.
• On tow, MOP around 40'ish. Main power switch OFF.
• After release, two brief motor runs for the baseline as requested by the contest management. The MOP values went in the the 100's and 200's shortly during the two, brief, low power motor runs and back into the 40's when the motor was OFF.
• Rest of the three hour flight, MOP was 40'ish.
2. Monday - no in-flight motor runs
   
• Entire flight, MOP in the 60's and 70's

As a point of comparison, I looked at another gliders's MOP values. V3 with FES:

1. Motor off MOP baseline very steady at 11.
2. High power setting MOP values in the 900s. MOP 11 before and after motor run.

Thanks,

Jamie Shore

mini Lak FES

LX9000 and MOP sensor