On Sunday, February 5, 2017 at 3:24:58 AM UTC+11, Mike the Strike wrote:
On Friday, February 3, 2017 at 7:40:25 AM UTC-7, Tim Taylor wrote:
You need to factor in the increased thermal speed and larger diameter circles. Unless the core of the thermal is large the climb rate is reduced significantly more than just the glide calculations predict. In the "real world" higher wing loading gives an advantage, but not as much as many think unless you are flying mostly on streets. In the mountains I often do better with a 9.5 to 10 pound wing loading because I can maneuver better and work small diameter thermals.

Exactly what we have found in Arizona - much depends on the thermal profile and especially the ability to stay in a strong, narrow thermal core.

Mike

I often feel like on the exceptionally hot and high Australian days, that it feels like I just can't fit in the thermals at high altitudes. Lighter aircraft don't seem to have the same trouble. My theory is that a thermals diameter doesn't vary substantially with height, however due to density altitude/TAS, my thermalling radius does vary substantially. Or at least that's my excuse.

Any thoughts on whether this is true, that the diameter of thermals remains constant at altitude, or widens slower than the circling radius considering TAS?