Thermals and Horsepower

What do you expect from a Psych major ... :-)

I was trying to understand what the energy numbers involved in XC
soaring were ... to give a common sense explanation on the SRA page
(http://sailplane-racing.org/) ... the visual images are not too
exciting, however.

We pull 15 HP out of a thermal while climbing .... so is my 'exciting'
visual a 15 HP John Deere Lawn Tractor driving up a vertical wall.

And if an 800 pound sailplane needs about 30000' feet to get around a
racing course ... I think the energy used translates to less then 10
kwh ... well, if that is correct ... I guess I can supply the
electricity needs of my house for a day or so.


KK