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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
activity 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.
BALLASTING
In strong wind conditions, you may want to add ballast
(weight) to the sailplane to increase its wing loading which
increases its normal flying speed. Increasing the weight of
your sailplane does not change its “glide ratio” but it does
make it fly faster. Because of the faster sink rate, you need
to be very cautious when ballasting for a thermal contest. In
duration type contests only use ballast on very windy days
that also have a lot of thermal activity.
Add the weight as near as possible to the C.G. of the plane.
Adding 6 – 8oz (170 – 225g) will make a noticeable difference
in the sailplane’s flying speed and more can be added later,
if needed. Make sure to recheck the C.G. of the plane after
adding the ballast – it should not change.
Have a ball! But always stay in control
and fly in a safe manner.
GOOD LUCk AND GREAT FLYING!
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