In message , Eric Greenwell
writes
Larry Dighera wrote:


The spectrum of soaring meteorological conditions ranges from flat
(little or no vertical movement of the air mass) to booming. During
the latter, the pilot is nearly unable to prevent his ship from
rising; it's like having a motor. On an average day, a pilot will
spend a great deal of time attempting to "core" thermals. That
involves mentally visualizing the sailplane's position relative to the
thermal's vertical anticyclone column center, and guiding his
sailplane to circle as near to the center of it as he is able.
Because this can require banks in excess of 60 degrees, occupants ware
a parachute. Such long, constant high-G circling can adversely affect
passengers of multi-place sailplanes, but the pilot will find it
exhilarating. The sport of soaring adds another dimension to similar
naturally powered sports such as sailing, surfing, and skiing...

Just in case you might get the idea from Larry that we all have our
blood at our feet from G loads, note that _most_ us use more like a 30
degree bank (g load hardly noticeable after a few flights), and can go
up just fine!

And for _most_ of us, wearing a parachute doesn't have anything to do
with circling in thermals. They aren't required except in contests, but
most private owners end up with one for various reasons, and wear it
all the time (sort of like wearing a seat belt in a car). Clubs aren't
so likely to use them while flying their gliders.

Don't know about the states but we use parachutes in everything. As far
as I know everybody does in the UK.

Robin
--
Robin Birch