It was noted...

While that's true it ignores the very
important point that a pilot will, particularly at low altitude, and
particularly if not monitoring the ASI and yaw string, tend to make
control inputs based on the observed movement of the glider over the
ground.

Not to whip a wounded horse, but this particular form of Darwinism (i.e.
"...not monitoring the ASI and yaw string") - apparently real enough per U.S.
accident lore/history - ought to serve as another reminder to
experienced/complacent/concerned pilots as to the conceptual soundness of
internalizing the fundamental thought, "This sort of accident *could* happen
to me...if I don't [do whatever] properly."

Inertial and vertical-wind-gradient effects noted, the plane does NOT know or
care what the wind-field is doing.

Bob - I believe mindset matters - W.

P.S. No need to quibble over what 'monitoring' means; if you have
useful/usable data available, using it is better than not using it when not
using it increases your chances of dying.


The effect is real. If you haven't experienced it be thankful. The
two fatal accident after rope breaks in strong wing conditions may be
related to this.

Don't you people have ridges?

I don't think anyone would be likely to get to solo here without being
very aware that the direction the glider is pointing has little to do
with the direction it is moving, and having experienced this a number
of times in 20+ knots winds, at low level, while doing a lot of 180
degree turns, with the instructor pointing it out if the string didn't
stay in the middle.