On Sep 2, 12:38 am, Allen Smith wrote:
Hello,
I just watched a movie online (Youtube) about gliders and saw one
thermaling and gaining altitude. How is this is done? I am a presolo
power pilot (Just finished with my 12th hour) and have been taugt
that a power plane will climb when excess power is availible.
(Steepen the angle of attack, and the airplane will start climbing
steady when all 4 forces are equal) How does a glider do that, since
there is no engine? Does the thermal change the relative wind?
(Which can\'t because the airplane creates the relative wind as it
flys through the air, right?)

Really interesting stuff.

Hi Allen,

glad to see a power pilot thinking further ahead than the spinning
prop ;-)
All the explanations are great but the best way to figure it out is to
try it. Go to www.ssa.org, the web-site of the Soaring Society of
America and check out the interactive map under the 'Where to fly'
tab. Contact the nearest soaring operation, hang out for a day and
take a ride.
Soaring is at least as complex than power-flying; it just takes a
different skill-set. Keep in mind: currently, you are learning to fly
a 'potential' glider. Knowing a thing or two about soaring may come in
handy one day should the engine decide to quit.
Good luck,
Uli Neumann