From: CV e
What is the most effective technique for making the turn ?

a. Tight turn at the current speed (90 kts) and carry
on according to McCready.
b. Slowing down to thermalling speed, turning tight and
accelerating back to 90 kts. This would end up being
a kind of chandelle-like maneuver since you'd be
pulling up sharply, turning while still in the climb,
and diving in quick succession.
c. A half loop with a roll on top. OK, I suspect this
might be theoretically best, but let's suppose you
rule this out due to a load of loose objects in the
cockpit: maps, pen, camera, sandwiches, drinking
water etc. and you are not really into advanced
aerobatics anyway.
d. Carrying on for half a mile (or a mile ?) past the
turnpoint where a cloud is building and you expect
to find lift to turn in.
e. Anything else.

Any manuvering as in b or c will cost more than a plain efficient turn, option
a would be fine if there is a crosswind to the course, turn into the wind for
the shortest ground track around the turn. D is the best option for two
reasons: you know you have to fly back out through sink, so tanking up is good,
also if the wind is generally along the outbound course, you will be drifting
toward the next turn while climbing. This is based on the old logic of
arriving low at downwind turns and high at upwind turns. Another tactical
point: flying into the turnpoint on the outbound leg when the wind is a
headwind going in to the turn may mark lift to be used after rounding the turn.
E, anything else. Why were you flying so long in sink? Altering course to
left or right may have put you in better air.





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Mark Navarre
2/5 black ace
LoCal, USA
remove brain to reply
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