Great-planes Spectra Electric Sailplane Kit - GPMA0540 User Manual download pdf (Page 35)

When the sailplane flys directly into a thermal it will

either start rising or stop sinking. Either case is reason enough

to start circling (especially in a contest where every second

counts). Fly straight ahead until you feel like you are in the

strongest lift, fly a couple of seconds farther (so your circle

will be centered in the strongest lift) and then start circling in

a fairly tight but smooth turn. When the sailplane is low the

turns have to be tighter to stay in the strongest lift. As the

plane gains altitude, the turns can be larger and flatter. The

flatter the turn the more efficient the plane is flying, but don't

be afraid to really "crank" it into a steep bank when you are

low. If you see the plane falling off on one side of the turn,

move your circle over into the stronger lift. Thermals move

along with the wind so as you circle you will be swept along

with it. Be careful when thermaling that you don't get so far

downwind you can't make it back to the field to land.

If the sailplane is flying along straight and all of a sudden

turns, let the plane continue to bank (you may have to give it

some rudder to keep it banking) until it has tuned 270 degrees

(3/4 of a full circle). Straighten out the bank and fly into

whatever turned the plane. If you encounter lift, and you

won't every time, start circling just as you did when flying

directly into a thermal.

Thermals are generated all day long, but the strongest

thermals are produced when the sun is directly overhead.

10:00 am - 2:00 pm seems to be the best time to get those

"killer'' thermals. Some of these thermals can be very large

and you may find it hard to get out of them. If you find

yourself getting too high, don't dive the plane to get out of the

lift. Sailplanes are very efficient aircraft and they will build

up a lot of speed and could "blow up" in the rough air of a

thermal. The easiest way to lose altitude is to apply full

rudder and full up elevator. This will put the plane into a tight

spin that will not over stress the airframe but it will enable it

to lose altitude very quickly. This is especially helpful if the

sailplane gets sucked into a cloud or it gets too high to see.

The twirling action will give the sun a better chance of

flashing off of the wing and catching your attention. When

you are high enough and want to leave the thermal, add a little

down trim to pick up some speed and fly 90 degrees to the

direction of the wind. If you are not real high and want to find

another thermal, you may want to look upwind of the last

thermal. The same source that generated this thermal is

probably producing another. Just watch out for "sink" it is

often found behind and between thermals.

As you might expect, with all this air rising, there is also

air sinking. This air is the sailplane pilot's nightmare that can

really make soaring challenging. "Sink" is usually not as

strong as the thermals in the same area, but it can be very

strong. Down drafts of many hundreds of feet per minute are

common on a good soaring day. These down drafts can make

a sailplane look like it is falling out of the air. Because of this,

it is important that you do not let the sailplane get too far

downwind.

When encountering sink, immediately turn and fly 90

degrees to the direction of the wind (towards you if possible).

Apply a little "down elevator'' and pick up some speed to get

out of the sink as fast as possible. Every second you stay in

the sink is precious altitude lost

SOME IMPORTANT SOARING TIPS

Watch the birds! - Thermals suck up small insects that many

birds love to eat. A bunch of swallows flying around in one

area may indicate a thermal. Soaring birds (hawks, vultures,

eagles etc.) are the best thermal indicators. They not only

show you where the thermal is but they also show you where

the center is. These "Masters of the sky" will often fly right

along with sailplanes.

Know your sailplane! - Learn what your sailplane will and

won't do and fly within this envelope. This will allow you to

ride thermals downwind while knowing when you have to

head back to make your landing safely.

Learn from the wind! - Keep track of which way the wind is

blowing. If the wind suddenly shifts, there is some thermal

action fairly close to you. The air is probably being either

sucked up into a thermal or falling out of some sink. In either

case it is often a good idea to fly in the direction the wind is

blowing if your sailplane is in the general area. This will take

you towards a thermal if there is one or away from the sink,

both of which are desirable.

Have a ball! But always stay in control and fly in a safe

manner. GOOD LUCK AND GREAT FLYING!

DYNAMIC BRAKE MODIFICATION

AFTER

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Great-planes Spectra Electric Sailplane Kit - GPMA0540 User Manual Page 35

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