"Udo Rumpf" wrote in message
...
I have not encountered a situation where this would be an issue near the
clouds. I would just speed up.
I would not mind having spoilers on occasions, when it is necessary to
insert one self into a pattern after many gliders return at the same time
in
a contest setting. Even then when I am finally committed to land after I
have given way because I was not able to quickly get into on opening. The
landings are most civilized even
if some one is worse off then I in terms of squeezing in there is always
enough space for gliders to land. One does not always have to land near
the
trailer.
Regards
Udo

This whole thread says a lot about glider flight training. Airplane pilots
are trained with flaps so they are comfortable with them. Glider pilots are
trained with spoilers, since there are no flapped trainers, so that's what
they are mostly comfortable with.

In fact, a skilled pilot can handle any situation with either.

If there's a situation where a pilot feels uncomfortable, talking with an
instructor skilled in flapped gliders is advisable. (ASK first whether the
instructor has any time in a flap-only glider.)

I have flown both and, although most of my experience is in spoiler equipped
gliders, I prefer flaps for all the reasons the pro-flap folks have listed.
I'll add another. Spoilers, even when closed, disrupt the upper wing
surface in the most critical area - flap only wings are cleaner.

Bill Daniels