I use thermals to climb all the time.. that or ridge lift.. but then again
I'm a glider pilot and glider tow pilot. When towing,.. I use the thermals
to help the climb.. with a standard VSI they are easy to locate.. not only
seat of the pants lifting sensation.. but also an increase in the VSI from
500fpm to 1000fpm or better.. depending on thermal strength..

With a good glider pilot behind me, we'll turn in the thermal at up to 45
degrees of bank to help the climb.. and if the thermal is that good the
glider pilot will release and I'll head back down for another glider.

With a student or novice pilot.. I'll go straight through the thermal, then
mild circle out away from the thermal and then back through it wings level..
marking the thermal for the glider pilot.. normally after about the 3rd pass
through a thermal and at least 2000ft AGL. The glider pilot will get off to
test his mettle with mother nature.

BT

"Kees Mies" wrote in message
om...
Hi All,

I need some advise.
The summer is starting and my plane is a rotten climber, certainly on
hot days at MTOW.
The best it can do in these conditions is about 300fpm.

My idea is to use thermals to climb (much)faster like gliders do.
Is this a stupid idea?
If my idea is not that stupid how do I find thermals and how to use
them properly?

Maybe I should have asked this on a soaring site but I think there are
a lot of pilots flying both kinds of planes.

BTW, my plane is a MS880 Rallye.

Thanks,
Kees.
D-EDMB.