On Saturday, October 5, 2013 1:48:27 PM UTC-4, son_of_flubber wrote:
I know that a 45 degree bank is useful for flying small circles and staying in small thermals, but is there something special about a 45 degree bank compared to say a 50 degree bank? For example, does the designer intend for the glider to do something special at 45 degrees? Is the glider designed to balance aerodynamic forces in a particular harmony at a precise 45 degree bank?

Over time we have learned that the best climb rate tends to be when the optimum trade off between circling diameter and sink rate increase caused by banking in achieved. This turns out to be right around 40 degrees. Most people over estimate their bank angle. When they think they are 45 degrees, more likely they are just over 30. Only rarely does more than 45 improve climb.. The key is tighten till the climb rate is steadily best and stick with it..
Most gliders, left alone to spiral, will settle in around 30 degrees from my experience.
FWIW
UH