On Tuesday, June 9, 2020 at 8:22:26 PM UTC-7, cdeerinck wrote:
I flew with a very excellent to-remain-unnamed pilot, who once flew 1000' above me when I thought I was at cloud base. Afterward, he said he wasn't in the cloud, because he could still see the ground directly below him. My rule for cloud base was/is that if I can't see the horizon, I'm in the cloud.

I agree that damn near every glider pilot breaks the cloud separation rules unless posting on a forum, simply because the lift is strongest there. I'm not saying it is right or wrong, but it certainly happens.

All that being said, what is the actual definition of cloud base, that we are supposed to stay 1000' from? I am not trying to be a smart-ass, I would really like to know.

And since I am high-jacking Richard's thread, I will add this: If you do put a stand-alone ADHRS in your glider, you will not be able to fly contests with it. As IGC regs require an ADHR activation to be logged in the file.. Again, no judgment here, just passing along information.

You are absolutely right: do not install an AHRS if you are a part of the 1-2% of glider pilots who fly contests (or be able to remove it). On the other hand, if you plan on flying in wave you should have an AHRS. I fly a motorglider, which really isn't competitive in contests, so I prefer the capability that a PFD gives me. At some point, the contest committee will see the safety benefits provided by an AHRS. If you did actual cloud flying in a contest it would be very obvious in the altitude traces.

Tom