thermal

One of the most useful lessons in cross-country soaring is surprisingly simple: when you get low, stop thinking like a pilot and start thinking like the landscape!

Every soaring pilot eventually faces the same uncomfortable moment. The thermals disappear, the variometer falls silent, and the ground begins to look much closer than expected. One could argue that this is exactly when discipline and observation

The more I fly with the LXNAV HAWK, the more I realise that I almost can't fly without it now. It has become an essential part of my decision-making process in flight, refining how I choose my climbs and ultimately making me a more efficient and effective pilot.

At the recent nationals, I lost count of the times I pulled up, hopeful of a climb, only for the HAWK to signal me: "No, don't bother." Time

So many fabulous books have been written, many on this topic. George Moffat & his book, winning on the Wind, was, at least in my mind, the first to publicise it. Winning by not losing, I must’ve read it & Reichmans a dozen times in my life. My favourite teacher, Mr Cummins, also played a pivotal role in my obsession to not waste time and how to be more efficient. 

Efficiency is Key

I’ll never forget

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.

What is a Thermal?

A thermal is a column of rising air created by the

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 of flight.

We all have those flights that don't quite go to plan, no one is immune. Sebastian Kawa once outlanded before the start at a World Gliding Championships, does it make him a poor racing pilot? Absolutely not, he is still one of the greats of all time in our sport. It can happen to anyone, that we just have a bad day, after all, gliding is a game of skill & chance.

I'm currently writing to you all from

Gliding is a sport that has captivated the hearts of many over the decades.  The sensation of soaring through the sky gracefully, unaided by engines or propellers, but by Mother Nature is a dream come true for many aviation-inspired enthusiasts.  To allow us to achieve this silent dance with nature and the earth's energy, one of the lift sources that glider pilots rely on, is a phenomenon known

Thermals are certainly strange creatures.  One day they can be big, round, and smooth, the next they’ll be tight with multiple cores, the next day, there will be sink in the area that was constantly lifting the day before!  This can bring frustration, but also lots of satisfaction when we start to build up our experience and start to be able to harness mother natures energy to our advantage. Undoubtedly,

I have no idea why, but it’s often spoken about that the distance between the good thermals seemingly appears to be related to the depth of convection.  I say that again, the depth of convection.  This is from the ground level to the top of the cloud base, not the commonly perceived, base of the clouds which is the condensation level.  Typically, if we work on an approximation of 2.5 times the

Big and high cumulus days are super fun, especially when all the ducks line up.  That’s the trick, to figure out the day's pattern so that they (ducks) do, as it is on every day and flight.  However, when we fly under large cumulus clouds, it requires a different tact at the day.  Instead of looking down, we must look up, this is to get all available cues from the clouds ahead.  The beauty