Pete Zeugma wrote in message ...
strangly, thats basically what ive been saying all
along, and objecting to the 'experts' who insist its
ok to turn a glider using rudder alone!


Pete,

No one in this group has suggested it is "OK to turn a glider using
rudder alone." In an earlier post you stated in no uncertain terms
that turning a glider with rudder only was an aerodynamic
impossiblity. You then "proved" your point by stating that unbalanced
movement of the rudder produces a forward slip. Is it surprising that
several of the group's readers, ones who lay hands on the controls
occasionally, took exception?

Your absolutism isn't uncommon. It is a tool used by good students to
learn and apply their lessons. It is especially common in flight
training, where instuctors must daily grapple with the fact that they
are giving their students access to an environment that capitalizes on
any lack of experience and exacts a brutal cost when it finds pilots
wanting. An axiomatic approach is warranted -- a short cut, proven to
be a fair trade between rapid progress to certification and safety in
the air. A pilot can even afford to arrest his development at this
point, but if you are going to engage in discussions on the philosophy
of flight, you'll need to start looking behind the short cuts your
flight instructor proffered to keep you safe in the air.

I assume your need for a strawman is a first step in overcoming
denial. That's a good thing. Get past this.