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 outside Tip: 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 Reading Flying Faster and Further – Maurie Bradney FLARM