Cross Country

Preparing and gaining local knowledge are key to a successful flight when flying at a new site. Every site has unique challenges, weather patterns, and local rules that may differ from those you’re accustomed to. Consulting experienced pilots is one of the best ways to ensure a safe and enjoyable flight. Here’s what you should consider and what questions to ask.

Cumulus clouds form when warm air rises, cools, and condenses into visible water droplets. Beneath these clouds, thermals create upward-moving air currents that we, as glider pilots, use to gain precious altitude. However, not all areas under a cumulus cloud will provide equal lift, and the challenge is determining where the strongest thermals are!

Factors

One of the crucial skills in gliding is naturally to be able to thermal in rising columns of lift. This allows us to extend our flights by tapping into the energy of Mother Nature. However, as we know, thermals often attract multiple gliders, creating crowded and complex situations in the sky. To ensure safety and efficiency, it’s essential for us all to establish some sort of thermal etiquette.

Thermal Development

Thermal development is a fundamental concept in the soaring world that we must all grasp. It’s energy in the atmosphere that we use to stay aloft. Understanding how thermals form and evolve is crucial for any soaring pilot aiming to extend their flight, navigate cross-country, or enjoy the purest form of flying.

In my last article, we discussed what wing-loading is and how it affects the glider. Essentially, it is the aircraft's weight divided by the wing area & is a crucial factor in the cross country performance.  In this article, we’ll delve into the intricacies of wing loading, addressing key considerations

Wing loading is a critical concept in gliding, as it significantly impacts the glider's polar, handling, and overall performance. Wing loading quickly changes when adding a passenger to that second seat or loading up water ballast before the flight. By understanding the relationship between wing loading and the glider's polar, pilots can optimise their flights and achieve the best cross-country

SkySight is an interactive gliding forecasting tool. It combines the latest modeling technologies with an intuitive user interface, to provide high-resolution soaring forecasts and powerful flight planning tools. Simon interviews SkySight's founder Matthew Scutter posing 5 questions on recent developments. 

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Thermals, those invisible pillars of rising air that we as glider pilots rely on for sustenance in the sky, they are a fascinating meteorological phenomenon for us all. Understanding how thermals develop is essential, for a good flight and how long one might stay in the sport! Let's delve into the intricacies of thermal formation and explore the processes that give rise to these vital elements

In the realm of gliding, where the sky becomes both playground and canvas, the importance of hydration for pilots cannot be overstated. As gliders gracefully ride the currents and thermals, pilots must navigate not only the atmospheric conditions but also the internal dynamics of their bodies. Hydration emerges as a silent but critical companion, ensuring that pilots stay alert, focused, and in control

Thermals, those invisible columns of rising warm air, are a glider pilot's best friend.  These natural updrafts allow pilots to soar effortlessly through the skies, conserving energy, extending flight time, and distances covered.  While thermals are commonly associated with high altitudes, where they can carry us to great heights, they also exist at low altitudes, naturally, where they