58y wrote:
wrote:

No matter what you fly in general aviation accessible to an average
pilot is difficult to fly in a cloud(s).

Single-pilot IFR in IMC is challenging in any aircraft--some more than
others. On the other hand, nobody here has yet advocated six legs ending
with circling approaches at night in snowstorms as an example of the
kind of "cloud flying" that gliders might do.


And don't mix any glider with a 757, there is no comparison. Period.

Then you've flown both? I've enjoyed the similarities almost as much as
the differences, but maybe that's just me. The only relevant comparison
I would suggest here is that each requires the pilot to be respectful of
its limitations.


...I pay very close attention to the foehn gap. And if you get
trap on top you have very unpleasant descent through a cloud(s)....
I would not take any chances flying here, "out west" with flight into
IMC.

Excellent. Then we're in full agreement. Why ascribe any less caution to
a properly trained and equipped glider pilot flying legally in clouds in
a different environment?


...as a power, glider, instructor, etc. pilot, if my
knowledge is limited I would like to update that.

That's what we're all here for, Jacek. Hopefully we can clarify what is,
and is not, legal. I suspect that the possible may already be fairly
well outlined, but I await the input from more experienced guiders of
gliders in cloud.



Jack

Jack,


And don't mix any glider with a 757, there is no comparison. Period.

Then you've flown both? I've enjoyed the similarities almost as much as
the differences, but maybe that's just me. The only relevant comparison
I would suggest here is that each requires the pilot to be respectful of
its limitations.

I have not flown 767....but I have flown 737-300 and -400 in which I am
rated and some .

What worries me in here is the fact that most of opinions expressed in
this posting are greatly simplifying flight in a glider while IMC. I
used to fly my 182, prior to that in 177RG and prior to that in
Cherokee Archer III in solid IFR...well, I was getting out of the plane
exhausted. When I added a simple S-TEC system 30 autopilot with
altitude hold things did improve dramatically. But flying a Cessna or
737 is not the same as flying any glider.I witnessed in 1983 a pilot
getting into Cumulonimbus in a Foka....he came out of the cloud in
pieces. I also happen know the regs. I am also a CFI, -G and -II....can
I fly in IFR conditions in a glider if I must (like if flying the wave
and you get a solid undercast)..I sure can, will I do it for
pleasure...no way.

What I am trying to say is that by giving some ideas to less
experienced pilots will lead to problems of all kinds of magnitude.

Thanks,

Jacek
Washington State