Getting out of the clouds in a Ventus C

Update on test #2

Logger showed descent rate to be between 1500-2900 fpm. Turn rate was about 45 seconds per turn.

Matt

And if you try the more generally recommended approach of airbrakes out, hands and feet off? That seems to work in both the gliders I most often fly.

You should enter the recovery mode from an unusual attitude since you will probably be in an unusual attitude very soon after losing external visual reference.

Unless I have reason to think the cloud goes down to the ground, I would not consider bailing out unless/until the wings come off.

You shouldn't be in an unusual attitude soon after losing visual
reference unless you immediately begin wiggling the stick around. If the
controls stay pretty much where they were, the glider should maintain
the same attitude, more or less. But then I only have a paltry 42 years
experience with instrument flying...

On 5/10/2015 11:13 AM, waremark wrote:
And if you try the more generally recommended approach of airbrakes out, hands and feet off? That seems to work in both the gliders I most often fly.

You should enter the recovery mode from an unusual attitude since you will probably be in an unusual attitude very soon after losing external visual reference.

Unless I have reason to think the cloud goes down to the ground, I would not consider bailing out unless/until the wings come off.

--
Dan Marotta

On Sunday, May 10, 2015 at 9:26:20 AM UTC-7, Matt Herron Jr. wrote:
Update on test #2

Logger showed descent rate to be between 1500-2900 fpm. Turn rate was about 45 seconds per turn.

Matt

Matt,

To be realistic and get a true sense of what will happen please do this with you eyes closed.

Richard

You first, smart guy.

On Sunday, May 10, 2015 at 5:50:09 PM UTC-7, Matt Herron Jr. wrote:
You first, smart guy.

Matt,

Seriously once you go into a cloud you will have no visual references. After about 30 seconds especially with the maneuver described you will have vertigo. What happens when you get out of the cloud? To establish your visual reference again may take another 30 seconds depending how serious the vertigo and what you do when you experience this. Things may get much worse. It is not just the aircraft that is the issue.

Richard