[dsoltz]

As the title suggests, I have been moving over from a PG to HG over the last couple of years, and am now finally at the point where I can go back to my old stomping grounds (and some more adventurous ones) and tackle the big air.

However, the transition is proving to be a little challenging. I know what to look for a thermal, how to search for the core, and how to track its path as it rises. This part is the same. What is different is the control of the HG while penetrating the thermal. The bar seems a little mushy, especially when encountering a strong thermal, so I may be too close to the stall speed at that moment. Once circling, control feels better, that is as long as the wing is still inside the rising air. If I get tossed out, then the process starts again.

Should I be flying faster initially when looking for thermals?

I fly a Sport 2, and usually keep it between 20 and 25 mph when searching for lift. Once in the thermal, I slow down closer to min sink 18-22mph or so, as measured on a Hall air speed indicator. The wing can fly much faster, and green lines out at 46 (max speed in turbulent air), with the yellow line at 55mph (max speed in smooth air). Since the wing is still new to me, I keep the VG at 1/3, and tend not to fly too fast to keep PIO to a minimum. However, with time I will venture to faster speeds.

A lot of this will come with practice, as is to be expected. But any tips or suggestions to shorten the learning curve would be much appreciated.

Dave (H2, P4)

[remmoore]

I think the answer depends on a couple of factors:

First - what type of thermals are you working? If they're punchy little bullets like we sometimes get during NorCal summers, I will often pull in while getting centered, to maintain better control and agility. If the lift is light or fat, I may choose to let the bar go to trim when I turn into the lift. Part of this also depends on...

How is your glider trimmed? If it's already set a bit slow, the thermal can slow you down even more, and cause that mushy feeling. If it's trimmed a bit fast, it may allow you to push out a bit as you enter the thermal.

The real solution to your problem is recognizing how your airspeed affects your ability to core the thermals - and what you need to do to keep that optimum airspeed. If you glider is feeling sluggish as you enter the thermal, you need to speed up a bit. You may be able to slow it back down once you're centered, but that's a decision you have to make in response to the thermal characteristics.

RM

[boarini2003]

When you're looking for thermals you should probably be flying at best glide (a little faster than trim). Once you find a thermal, you want to stay at about the same speed and as you start your turn and once inside you can then slow the wing down to minimum sink. Also remember to coordinate your turns by increasing your pitch angle as you increase your bank angle.

[Dan Harding]

A good rule for Thermic air is to fly with abit of extra speed. I have encountered thermals at Chelan Butte that almost ripped the basebar out of my hands, and if it had not been for the extra speed at which I was flying at I might have been tumbled over backwards when punching thru to the core. The exact opposite can occur when exiting a big air thermal, some times called "going over the falls" The nose of your wing can go straight down or worse, on to the top of the sail. Talk to the other pilots you hang with and get their input, the locals will know what to expect for that particular site, value their judgement.

This topic will most likely draw alot of commentary because there is so much to say about flying thermals, and I have only touched the surface of it.

[CHassan]

[dsoltz]

So the consensus is (as expected) to fly a little faster when entering the thermal. The slow speed explains the mushy, almost slippery feeling of the bar. (Another part of this is moving up from a Falcon, which offers more resistance to any pilot input, to a Sport 2).

Will try flying 3-5mph faster, just above best glide, when searching for and entering thermals, and will see how it goes once inside. I like the idea of a steeper bank with more G's. The same technique is used by PG pilots to maintain pressure in the wing while keeping the turning radius as small as possible.

Thanks for all the input!

Dave (H2, P4)

[shafi420]

thank you tips are very helpful

[GuessWho]

See page 29
http://www.ssa.org/magazine/Archive/PDF472h_tq83g_d75/1987-08.pdf

speed = security

Speed also allows you to explore a greater area searching for the rising core. When the day is good, sloughing turbulent air often surrounds smoother air of the core. Once you center in the core, yaw to flatten your turn and slow down. The slower you go, the faster you will rise.

BE PREPARED TO STUFF THE BAR IMMEDIATELY IF YOU ARE SPIT OUT OF THE CORE.

Enjoy!

[JedZeppelin]

[klh]

VG is for flying straight-and-level from Point A to Point B.

Thermal VG off - the roll response is better, so it's easier to adjust your bank. Slight errors in angle of attack have less consequence.

When you've gotten enough experience that you're solid in the thermals once you find them, start experimenting with a little VG, like 1/4, in the 100-200 FPM thermals. I can thermal a Sport 2 155 or 175 at any VG setting, even in 600-800 FPM up. It takes a lot of effort to keep the bank I want sometimes and have to be quick and forceful when hitting bumps in the thermal. Wander out to the edge and it takes a lot of strength to roll back in and very hard to get precisely where I need to be, so there goes the tiny gain in climb from having the VG on. Too much work, so I rarely do it.

With the VG loose or 1/4 you can push the bar out some and really climb once you find the core. In weak winter conditions it can be useful to be at VG 1/2 while hunting around for that 'good' thermal.