ThermalStuff: Destination By Robin Robinson
As you remember, the last article left our glider in the air at about 600 feet of
altitude heading toward the 'destination' that was selected before the launch sequence
began. Your timer has started the stopwatch in order to track your task time. Whatever
that task is, you know your glider will be on the ground within three minutes if
you fail to find lift or 'rising air'.
A destination is best determined before launching. It is imperative that the destination
be decided 'finally' within one minute of the start of the launch. This is why the
moments before launch, while you are waiting in line, are so important to the outcome
of the up-coming flight. These moments are best described as 'quiet time' for the
pilot and timer. Both will be watching, and observing in order to make a good launch
destination decision. When hooking up the launch line to the glider, the pilot and
timer will confer with each other and make the decision. It is best when both pilot
and timer know where the glider will be headed to after the launch.
DESTINATION FACTORS: Let's take the bad situation first. [1] You have just been
put at the head of the line for launching for some reason that you can't control,
you're out of breath and no one else is in the air. Five minutes ago, the fellow
you were timing for did well upwind at about 10 o'clock. It has been about 15 minutes
since anything good has happened out at 2 o'clock so that is where you are going
this time! You will do a launch straight upwind and then search to the right using
upwind 'S' turns as you watch the glider for cues. When you get to the limit of
visibility then move left toward the 10 o'clock position and continue around left
until it is time to approach the landing area with enough altitude to make a normal
textbook landing for maximum points. If you found lift during this search, you would
have been able to complete the time task because the search was up-wind. Had the
search been downwind, you may have had the added complication of being far, far
away with low altitude at the end of the task.
Here is a better situation. [2] As you're waiting in line to launch, the three pilots
ahead of you have found lift and are established in it at 9 o'clock with a very
light wind shift also blowing into it! Would anyone wonder about where to go' There
is a downside; if you're going to carry this round, don't miss the landing.
Try this. [3] The wind has shifted and is blowing lightly but steadily, more to
the right than normal, it has not yet turned colder than average for the day though.
I would launch and search out in the direction of 3 o'clock and then move carefully
upwind watching the glider for clues.
Your personal 'launch destination factor list ' will grow quickly if you spend a
portion of each contest day running the retriever winch. As each contestant launches
and completes the round task, you will be able to pick up on their strategy and
measure their success for future use. On some days, you will notice a pattern in
the way lift is cycling though the flying area. It goes something like this. Every
15 minutes a 'boomer' comes through within reach of the launch; left, right or straight
ahead. If you're not in it you are out of luck for lift. Here is what you do. With
five minutes to go to 'boomer time', call for a retriever operator and go get your
plane and a timer. Get in line and by the time you're ready to launch, a ten minute
task thermal will be waiting for you!
IN CONCLUSION: Always make the launch with a destination in mind that is based on
observation of factors taken or noticed within one minute of the actual launch time.
Then, stick to the plan until interrupted by lift and don't forget; circle!