Flying with other gliders

•Relate topic to performance improvement•Tailor topic to audience

Coaching notes: Unit 5 – version 2

To provide the pilot the knowledge of –• safe methods of joining other gliders in a thermal• dangerous glider positions and how to avoid them

Discuss common situations•Cruising •Gaggles•Starts•Finishing, crowded circuit

Skill-Thermalling with other gliders

Forget about instruments Slow down before entering Never cut inside, avoid double blind Conform with other gliders “kink” turn to synchronise Consider differing wing loadings Avoid joining from outsideTip: smooth decisive manoeuvres, no surprises.

Discussion – Joining from outside, speed, rate of climb

Typical glider blind spots

Skill – Maintaining Visual Contact

Avoid flying in another’s blind spot – single blind

Avoid positioning you glider such that the other glider is in your blind spot – double blind

Never place yourself above and behind a glider in cruise

Spatial awareness etc.

Starts and finishes

Decisive not aggressive manoeuvres Conform with the “flow” Enter start area from behind, no U

turns

Relating to performance

Skills need to be sub-conscious Less workload = more time to make better

decisions Enter and leave gaggles upwind/ downwind Flying to the side increases search area Confidence of skills avoids “is that me”

doubts Thermalling – use other glider to show lift

peak

And then…

Further ReadingFlying Faster and Further – Maurie Bradney

• FLARM