In article ,
(MHende6388) wrote:

I was taught during wave training that all sailplanes, properly trimmed, when
you let go of the controls, will seek a gentle banked circle to one direction
and maintain that attitude, even in light turbulence.

There must be great variation from one a/c to the next with varied CG and trim
settings.

Pretty much *any* aircraft should do this, not only gliders. The only
requirements are that a) the airframe not be *too* out of whack, and b)
there being sufficient drag available to allow a reasonable nose-down
attitude without a large speed increase.

The key is that the hands-off roll rate is probably non-zero, and that
would eventually turn you upside down. A significant nose-down attitude
allows roll rate to be coupled into turn rate and the whole thing
stabilizes when the degrees per second of turn matches the degrees per
second of roll.

So trim for a slowish speed (trim right back unless that is going to
stall you) and put out all the drag you can manage: spoilers, wheel,
flaps.

Preferably try it in the aircraft you fly before you actually need it.

-- Bruce