John Jones wrote in message ...
How many gliders can be trimmed for hands off thermalling?

An instructor showed me, with spoilers open and proper
trim, the glider will stabilize in a slow descending
turn. Claimed it was good for getting out of a cloud.

Neat, but would not want to thermal with the spoilers
open.

My ASW 19b and ASW 28 will thermal hands off for several turns. Only
works for smooth thermals not the more typical rowdy tight cores of a
strong Arizona day.

The full airbrake, hands and feet off controls, descent is known as
the benign spiral. Does not work in all gliders so try it before you
use it in a real descent emergency.


Andy