Just quick addition to Michaels comments about why the 180 turn is
much easier in the sailplane.

1. is we do practice it with some frequency. We seldom get by a Flight
review with out doing at least one.

2.Guess what glider pilots typically do for about 50% of their flight.
We call it thermalling but it is really a steep (usually 40 to 60
degrees) turn at the minimum sink speed which is usually only a few
knots above stall speed, often in gusty conditions.. We also don't
have stall warnings (as it would be going off continously during this
maneuver) so we know the aerodynamic stall characteristics of the
glider in a steep turn intimently.

Brian
CFIIG/ASEL