Advanced Thermalling Part 2
In open class I use the motto "To thermal is to admit defeat".
There are some great books that explain in detail the many techniques used for centering. My general technique is based on the Huth Method where you tighten the bank angle in the surge of the lift. No matter the technique it is about getting centered quickly and staying there. Stay in the core of the thermal, my bank angle motto is "If it's not tight, it's not right".
Ron Tabery, can float along at a shallow bank angle, low drag, and make the glider climb amazingly well. I have tried following and can never keep up.
If I am not centered by the third turn the swearing will increase to offset the poor pilotage. Generally, by the second turn I am centered, if it is taking too long I will seriously consider leaving as it might be un-centerable. The un-centerable thermal may still have a good average, I have left many of those that had an average I should not have left and was just being impatient.
Continuing a good scan is important to stay centered, listen to the vario and feel with your body. Many centering corrections are influenced by outside references like traffic, birds, wisps, dust, etc.
Common mistakes I see on task and with students:
- Turning the tight thermalling into a spiral dive.
- Not knowing where the thermal is after a few turns.
- Losing focus once centered.
- Making the initial turn the wrong direction.
- Not leaving early enough.
Large correction that looses thermal.
Banner Photo: Mitch Hudson
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Garret Willat holds a flight instructor rating with over 8000 hours in sailplanes. His parents have owned Sky Sailing Inc. since 1979. He started instructing the day after his 18th birthday. Since then, Garret has represented the US Junior team in 2003 and 2005. He graduated from Embry-Riddle with a bachelor's degree in Professional Aeronautics. Garret represented the US Open Class team in 2008 and 2010 and the Club Class team in 2014. Garret has won 3 US National Championships.