Jim Vincent wrote:

You're talking about two totally different things here. One is thermalling,
the other is the benign spiral mode (what your instuctor did with you....good
instructor!).

The way I teach the benign spiral is trim for 60 kts and don't touch the stick.
The plane will speed up and slow down and turn, but should always stay within
limits. As you said, it is useful if caught in cloud. Spoilers deployed is a
new one to me.

My experience, and that of many others, is the having spoilers deployed
is crucial to the benign spiral mode. Some gliders can't manage it, even
with the spoilers open. What glider are you teaching this in?

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Eric Greenwell
Washington State
USA