How do you know when to pass up a thermal?
Average cross-country speed increases significantly when you discard weaker, unnecessary climbs. Do you recognize key indicators telling you to stop and thermal? Keep in mind if you don't stop and thermal a field landing is inevitable. It reminds me of a song:
"Should I stay or Should I Go". Hopefully, you listen to the Clash. I recommend you download the song and add it to your in-flight playlist.
As you are cruising along you start to feel the energy of the sky, you get the solid acceleration in your backside like an elevator first starting. The Vario starts to make noise and you begin your pull-up.
Right now you want to know "Should I Stay or Should I Go" because the next set of maneuvers will be different.
Does it feel like the average is going to be the same that I have had or better?
Do I need a climb, is this a tactical climb?
How am I doing in relation to the height band?
Can I beat this average up ahead?
You can see that you should have an idea of what you are willing to take before you feel it.
Once you start your turn you do not have to continue it. You could, once getting to 90 degrees, decide this is not getting better and roll back out on course. This is a lot more efficient than continuing the 360.
If you are going to go and not thermal, you can slow down to minimum sink speed and climb as quickly as possible. You will definitely max out the altitude potential when doing that. However only if done perfectly. If you are still slow when you exit the thermal you will have to do the initial acceleration in the sink, loosing more. Average all of your pull-up climbs for the day, you will probably be too slow exiting the lift more than getting those extra few feet of altitude.
Let's say you were cruising at 90 kts you might only slow down to 70 kts and start your acceleration early. Get an idea of how the glider accelerates. There's a time and place to slow down more, but probably not every time.
Banner Photo John Sullivan
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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.
