What is magical about a 45 degree bank?

Nothing magical about 45 degree angle of bank. For any given angle of
bank, turn radius varies with the square of (true) airspeed. For the
gliders we are mostly used to and average sized and velocity gradient
thermals, 45 degrees is often about right. For a vintage type with a
stalling speed of 30 knots, circling at 30 degrees of bank, or even less,
at 35 knots may be better, for a heavily ballasted modern type, in a small
thermal, 60 degrees or even more may be best (better to dump the water
unless your pretty sure of finding bigger thermals later). How much bank
to use in a particular thermal is one of the most important and hardest
learned skills.

At 17:48 05 October 2013, son_of_flubber wrote:
I know that a 45 degree bank is useful for flying small circles and
staying
in small thermals, but is there something special about a 45 degree bank
compared to say a 50 degree bank?

For example, does the designer intend for the glider to do something
special at 45 degrees? Is the glider designed to balance aerodynamic
forces in a particular harmony at a precise 45 degree bank?

Thank you for the recommendations made here. I've just ordered copies of:

"Fundamentals of Sailplane Design" by Fred Thomas.

"Radio Control Thermal Gliding" by Markus Lisken and Ulf Gerber

Good reading for the winter ahead.

If you haven't already read it, you should also look at "Streckensegelflug"
by Helmut Reichmann:
http://www.amazon.com/Streckensegelf.../dp/3613024799


"son_of_flubber" wrote in message
...
Thank you for the recommendations made here. I've just ordered copies of:

"Fundamentals of Sailplane Design" by Fred Thomas.

"Radio Control Thermal Gliding" by Markus Lisken and Ulf Gerber

Good reading for the winter ahead.

On Sunday, October 6, 2013 1:47:40 PM UTC-4, Dan Marotta wrote:
If you haven't already read it, you should also look at "Streckensegelflug"


Ich habe nur eine bischen deutsch.

If that means you don't speak German, fear not. It's published in English.


"son_of_flubber" wrote in message
...
On Sunday, October 6, 2013 1:47:40 PM UTC-4, Dan Marotta wrote:
If you haven't already read it, you should also look at
"Streckensegelflug"


Ich habe nur eine bischen deutsch.

At 17:48 05 October 2013, son_of_flubber wrote:
I know that a 45 degree bank is useful for flying small circles and
staying
in small thermals, but is there something special about a 45 degree bank
compared to say a 50 degree bank?

For example, does the designer intend for the glider to do something
special at 45 degrees? Is the glider designed to balance aerodynamic
forces in a particular harmony at a precise 45 degree bank?

The only thing I am aware of in relation to 45 deg of bank, is that it
gives the minimum height loss in a 360 deg turn. This is not of much help
in turns in thermals.
Dave

Silly Flubber. Everyone knows the special number is 42.

One thing special about 45 degrees is that it is the only angle you can really measure in flight without artificial horizon. If the horizon is aligned with your instrument screws you are banked 45 degrees. You will often be surprised how steeper it is then you thought.

Ramy

Pesky mountains ruin the horizon so I can't use the screws. Maybe I should
move to Kansas. Steve...?


"Ramy" wrote in message
...
One thing special about 45 degrees is that it is the only angle you can
really measure in flight without artificial horizon. If the horizon is
aligned with your instrument screws you are banked 45 degrees. You will
often be surprised how steeper it is then you thought.

Ramy

On Monday, October 7, 2013 11:19:01 AM UTC-5, Dan Marotta wrote:
Pesky mountains ruin the horizon so I can't use the screws. Maybe I should move to Kansas. Steve...?

Stick with New Mexico and the uncertainty of your bank angle.