thermals

Thermals, those invisible columns of rising warm air, are a glider pilot's best friend.  These natural updrafts allow pilots to soar effortlessly through the skies, conserving energy, extending flight time, and distances covered.  While thermals are commonly associated with high altitudes, where they can carry us to great heights, they also exist at low altitudes, naturally, where they

We all like a light to moderate wind day because it’s beneficial for the generation of thermals and it’s relatively predictable.  On strong wind days though, we tend to leave the hangar doors closed because they break the thermals up and can be harder to find, especially near the ground!  The good thing is that even on these days, the hot air still sticks to the ground as they

One of the key skills of gliding is to recognise a thermal as we approach it, there are many ways to do this with the use of ground features, clouds, off mountainous terrain, smoke from a fire, etc. Naturally, we need to find a way to recognise a thermal as we approach it.

Thermal Form

Thermals rise through