I used to think that I could climb faster with steeper turns in the
strongest part of the thermal, but after flying with the some of the best
open class pilots in the USA, and seeing them outclimb me, it seems to me
that lower bank angles, 30-45 degrees, and slower speeds are better than
tightening up in the core and using steeper banks angles, and higher IAS.
Maybe this isn't as true with 15m wings.

I have seen days though, when you couldn't even climb if you didn't wrap it
up hard and use bank angles of at least 60 degrees or more.

It may not always be the most efficient, but I do think it's fun to circle
at very high bank angles for a few turns, or more once and a while. It is
such a rush to just stand a sailplane on it's wing., and climb at 3 or 4+
g's!

Gary Boggs

"Jim Vincent" wrote in message
...
Lets have a poll. Tell us how you thermal.

I don't believe in a shallow bank for 180 degrees. The trade off in
efficiency
is more than offset by getting out of the sink and into the lift quicker.

Reichman's rules: Increase bank in sink, shallow bank as vario rises,
increase
bank in lift. My numbers say min sink is 44 ktws, 30 degree min sink is
49, 45
is 52, and 60 is 63 kts.

If themals are tight and narly, then crank 45-60, decreasing with altitude
as
thermals generally widen. Like many here, the screws on the instruments
are
the 45 degree indicator (a golden nugget from a CSA instructor). I would
rather increase my airspeed than shallow the bank since the increase in
airspeed effectively increases the turn radius with minimal drag effects
and
low time lag.

To me, crankin and bankin to get into the best lift is worth it...plus
much
more fun!

Jim Vincent
N483SZ
illspam