Some Soaring Questions I Have.

Are you trying to answer test questions, or are you trying to really learn
soaring? Are you trying to sort out the usually conflicting hangar flying
questions?

In soaring---"It depends--" is the usual correct answer, but it drives
beginners and intermediates crazy! This is not an acceptable answer on, for
example, the Bronze badge test. The FAA Knowlege test computer has no room
for it.

That said,--here goes---see below

Good luck on your never-ending soaring education

-
Hartley Falbaum
DG800B "KF" USA


"George" wrote in message
oups.com...
Hey guys I was wondering if any of you could help answer these
questions.

What the proper speed to fly is when passing through lift without
wanting to stop and work it.

Slow way down. McC theory says the optimum speed can be less than Min Sink
under some conditions. The FAA and Bronze Badge says Min Sink. These speeds
do not take into account of what happens next. You don't want to be caught
going slow in the sink that surrounds the lift, and it is costly of height
to accelerate after getting into the sink. So, a practical compromise is
about Best L/D, and gentle S-Turn while in the lift.

When trying to land in rough air should i go faster or slower?

Gusts come from all directions--from behind, they kill your airspeed, and
maybe you.-So you want to go fast enough that a "negative" (from the rear)
gust won't get you stalled. Speed up --fly Best L/D plus one half the total
wind--i.e. wind is 10G15, and L/D is 55 kt, you fly 63Kt (55 + half of 15)

What effect will being underweight have on the control of my glider?

If you mean "light but legal" the glider will be more pitch sensitive, and
performance speeds are reduced slightly. The ratio is the sqrt of the
reference weight to the sqrt of the flying weight. If you mean under the
legal limit, then you have a big problem, well addressed by the other
posters.

Where the strongest lift is under a cloud. Is it towards the top?

I suspect you mean "under the highest (tallest) part of the cloud"--if
so ---yes. The darkest, flattest part of the bottom is a good bet. The
upwind edge is a good bet. The sunny side, especially if it is also upwind
is a good bet. Some clouds lie through their teeth.

Thanks in advance

George