On Apr 26, 9:36*pm, Michael wrote:
Hi all,

Beginner student here again. *

The weather during my last training session was overcast with ceiling
at 2,500 ft. *Right after our last tow for the day to 2,000.....after
the release and a turn or two....it started to rain, perhaps for just
5-10 seconds. *I could see the rain drops on the canopy and see them
pushed back by the relative wind.

My instructor made no mention of it and I forgot to ask about it post
landing.

What are the implications about getting rained on in flight?
Obviously, if the ceiling is 2500 and overcast, this is primarily a
"training day." *How should a glider pilot react to rain? *How does it
affect the control of the aircraft?

How does one fly safely in the event or threat of rain?

--Michael

When wet, some airfoils, such as found on the Pic-20, can turn your
glider into a lawn dart... more like a hang glider than a slick glass
ship.... maybe 15:1. And, associated with some rain can be some
unpredictable and changing winds... strong down, strong up, headwind,
crosswind, downwind.

In my opinion, days that are overcast, and possibly rainy, should be
left to the ducks, not gliding... much less training gliding. We
might be eager to fly, and train, but haste can make waste... or
worse. Think safety. Fly safe.

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