The fine art of thermaling

Dave N's picture
Submitted by Dave N on 31 March, 2008 - 07:00.
24 Apr 2008 - 19:30
24 Apr 2008 - 22:30

The next club meeting will be held (as always) at Glynde Social Club on Thursday 24th April at 7.30 pm.
This will be a lecture about thermaling and XC flying by Mark Watts
Mark is an extremely well known and competent XC comp pilot and his flying achievements are far too numerous for me to list here.
Most SHGC members will have seen Mark fly even if they don't know him personally (he will be that dot in the sky).
If you have ever wondered how he does that then this will be your chance to ask him.

All members welcome

Dave Nickels

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The fine art of thermaling

Submitted by Karim Ahmed on 25 April, 2008 - 09:17.

An engaging insight into the dizzy heights of thermalling and XC. Thanks Mark.

From what I remember, these were the main nuggets of info:

  • Paragliders have a poor glide ratio so focus on climbing
  • If you don't feel comfortable on your kit then change it
  • Don't go XC on new kit
  • Be courteous to other pilots
  • Make sure you always know where you are
  • Remove hats/sunglasses and make eye-contact when hitching back
  • Most useful thing when in a cloud is knowing where your horizon is
  • When you are getting up too near to a cloud, fly out to the nearest edge
  • Aim to get under a cum cloud at the crisp, developing side (upwind?)
  • When looking for a thermal, S out from the hill to find it
  • When you have found it don't start your turn to early (tempting!)
  • Turn right
  • Don't panic when looking for your next thermal - take your time
  • Use a max of one inch speed bar in UK
  • Don't fly back upwind to find a thermal (unless you can see someone else climbing well!)
  • Use every thermal you come across because you can't afford long glides in the UK
  • Preparation the night before is essential
  • The Dyke is our most reliable site and works best
  • Firle is not much good for XC
  • Caburn is sometimes good for XC and is the only site where you can fly down-wind.
  • Bo-peep is no good for XC
  • The area above the road up the Beacon is rough air.
  • Best XC lift is on side south side of the downs between the Dyke and Lewis.
  • Don't be fixated on getting back to your car!
  • Stay just inland of the sea breeze front when using it so you don't get stuck in sea air.
  • Classic sea breeze has cum with tendrils below but not always best lift.