Joining a Gaggle
A necessary skill of soaring is being able to thermal efficiently in the company of other gliders, sometimes there is only one thermal within your glide range, otherwise, the alternative is to land. Quite often on blue days, the best thermals will be marked by others, if you are to avoid these thermals, you’ll give yourself a handicap. This article aims to introduce how I enter a thermal with other gliders and should be helpful no matter what your soaring goals are.
3 to 5 km out
When you are about three to five kilometers from the circling gliders, simply aim straight at the center of the thermal. As you approach them though, you’ll need to reduce your speed to approximately 5-10kts faster than your usual circling speed, this allows the glider to be responsive when you decide to turn, often you can feel the air better than too...
In order not to give yourself a fright and those that you’re joining, you should always aim to join the others that are already established. Ignore your own vario readings and feel, concentrate on joining them. I find there’s nothing more frustrating when a joining glider stops to turn early because they think they have a better core when the others have been established for some time. Give them the benefit of the doubt and the courtesy, you can always lead them back to the core if they really haven’t got it. Another way to treat this situation, treat others as you’d expect to be treated!
Rolling into the Thermal
You’ve reduced speed, now sight the glider which will be near your level. Then make a small “S” turn if needed to that after the glider ahead has passed by, you can aim your glider at its tail – pretend to shoot it down... Roll into the same angle of bank and adjust your speed. This should put you about a third behind the other and you’ll both be able to see each other easily.
How far will you travel in 5-6 seconds? About 10 wingspans or 500’ – so try to keep this distance as the glider crosses your path, give yourself a safety factor.
Again, give the benefit of the doubt to the already circling gliders, avoid looking at your instruments until you are established in the turn. If the lift doesn’t meet your goal, then you can always re-center with them, or leave. The above system works for three gliders, but what if there’s more? You may have to join from the outside as you gently work your way in, or from below if it’s really busy.
Thermal with Predictability
Be predictable as you’re joining others too, it’ll keep their blood pressures down for one, I’m sure you can imagine why. Quite often I wave at nearby gliders in a climb. Why? So they know I’ve seen them. If they don’t wave back, then I assume they haven’t seen me and I use more caution.
Don't Cut Inside
Learn who is in the thermal with you, this way you will know when you are in the best company or that it’s time to leave. If you’re climbing better than the others, ask yourself why, perhaps they are heavier than you? Regardless, you will want to work around them, but on NO account cut inside any glider in front of you. You MUST go around the outside or wait until that glider is behind you so that you can keep each other in sight as you change your circle.
Double-Blind Spot
Finally, when you are above or below other gliders, take extra care so as to not get into a “double-blind” spot, this is where both parties lose sight of each other. Try to raise them on the radio to re-establish situational awareness. If you have to leave the thermal because you can’t find them and you’re concerned, then ease out gently and as predictable as possible.
Happy climbing!
Banner photo by Bozena Michalowski
Adam Woolley was born into the gliding world, being the 3rd generation in his family. Going solo at 15, his thirst for efficiency in soaring flight & quest for a world championship title to his name has never wavered. One big passion is sharing his experiences & joy with other glider pilots all around the world. Adam is an airline pilot in Japan on the B767 & spends his off time chasing summer around the globe. He has now won 7 national Championships & represented Australia at 5 WGC's & 1 EGC.