Effect of rain on gliders in flight

On Apr 27, 11:29*am, "
wrote:
Then again, if you are training in a 2-33, a little rain will probably
increase your performance by washing some of the bugs and dirt off!

Seriously, in a non-laminar wing (any metal trainer, pretty much),
especially if it hasn't been waxed recently (and who waxes a 2-33 or a
Lark!), light rain will have no aerodynamic effect. *Biggest problem
will be reduced visibility through the canopy, and less braking action
if you land on grass.

Obviously, stay away from heavy rain showers or thunderstorms, but
pattern-bashing in a light, occasional drizzle beats watching birds
fly.

Good training, too.

Kirk

Kirk beat me too it! When you have an ugly crinkled metal wing
bristling with rivets, a few raindrops are hardly going to matter from
an aerodynamic perspective.

The most important consideration is the type of cloud overhead
producing the rain. Out here in the US west, there's a good chance
it'll be a shower cloud or thunderstorm that may produce downdrafts
and lightning - things to worry about a lot more than a few raindrops.

If you are in western Europe where most of the rain comes from
stratiform clouds, it's not so bad. Heck - if you live in some of the
countries with the worst climate (Britain for example), flying in the
rain is a necessary skill!

Mike