Going Faster With 2
Team flying is an art and it takes a lot of practice to be good at it. I have attempted team flying at three World Gliding Championships and one Junior World Gliding Championships. I remember one day at the Juniors I was able to share some information on the cloudstreet I was running down and getting slow and recommending for my teammate to do something else. He did and won the day.
However, using the radio for team flying is not allowed at some contests but you can still work together with another to fly faster. One of those days I remember I flew with Biff Huss for most of the first leg, it was much more beneficial for me as I was able to get the ASW-19 to keep up with a Discus 2. This also was great for the psychological aspect because I knew I was gaining points on him and he knew he was losing points if I stuck with him. On top of that, I had started nearly 8 minutes after him!
When flying with someone, I continue to fly my own task, Biff and I eventually made different decisions and parted ways. However, I always ask why are they going that way, and is it a better decision? When I was flying with George Lee he always had us discuss different options to determine what was truly the best one.
When Biff went left and I went right I could see why he went that way, but I choose my direction because in 10 miles it would be the better option. He won the day...It is also good to note that it is not over until you cross the finish line and the race is not to the first turn.
If you are trying to fly with someone fly off their wingtip not behind them in their blind-spot. That is more leaching off the person then utilizing them for both of you to go faster. However tactically that might be a better idea depending on your placing, start time, distance to finish, etc.
If it is time to leave the thermal, maybe you leave a little slower to allow the other person to leave with you and not leach off of you. When you team fly you can utilize the radio to reduce the looking over your shoulder. As you fly through the air, not wingtip-to-wingtip Blue Angles style, but separated out enough to allow a 3rd glider between you. This will allow you to search a larger swath of air in cruise, if the other starts to hit lift you slide over to them, the other one would give you a little room because they know they are on the edge, this also slides them towards a potential core.
If someone starts sinking you can drift a little farther away if you are in less sink. But understand there will be a lot of vertical separation as you fly. You will bounce above and below the other glider. It's ok, 500 ft can be lost or gained at an amazing/depressing rate.
When you are doing this without a radio it is easy to turn your head and have them be gone. It's ok, it is a race and you were only working together while it made sense. Now just find a better thermal than they did.
Banner Photo: Fabrice Renaudet
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.
