Whatever the tech ultimately used to achieve this, what will it do to the sport? I know some people thought flight computers would ruin the sport, then GPS, then moving maps, but thus far it is still far from ruined. But visible thermals sounds like the biggest step yet towards reducing the challenge. What do others think?


I wrote a short Soaring Magazine article a while ago, thinking about what thermal detectors might mean,

http://faculty.chicagobooth.edu/john..._detectors.mht

or link from

http://faculty.chicagobooth.edu/john...dex.htm#corner

Short version: Even a wingspan range would make a huge difference. Flying airplanes without engines will never be easy. Thermal detectors could dramatically improve the sporting experience, as they could mean the end of gaggling, leeching, team flying, etc. And think about how nice it would be at the end of the day to know for sure that there aren't any thermals left so you'd better stop trying and land.

John Cochrane