Turn coordinator? How dare they!

It seems a little out of touch with reality that gliders frequently put themselves in the position where they might need to descend through clouds and yet they typically do not have the training or carry the instruments to handle that situation. Is this because the FAR were written before it was common for gliders to fly in wave? If we brought this anomaly to the attention of the FAA, are we afraid that they will outlaw wave flying?

US gliders do not frequently put themselves in a position where they might need to descend through clouds! The first lesson you learn when wave flying is absolutely not to let this happen, just like "don't fly into thunderstorms" in the flatlands. And if you do it, properly, calling ATC and telling them you have an emergency, expect a long debriefing when you land.

John Cochrane