Andreas Maurer wrote:
On 24 Feb 2005 09:27:21 -0800, "BB"
wrote:


Though mostly about handicapping, it also shows very nicely why you
should not thermal at the "minimium sink speed" corresponding to the
level flight polar, but instead should usually thermal right on the
edge of a stall. (Going slower means you can achieve the same turn
radius with a lower bank angle.)


Try to thermal once at the edge of a stall in a glider like, say,
ASW-20, ASW-24, and you'll find out immediately that your conclusion
is not universally applicable.





Bye
Andreas
Ditto Std Cirrus - only time I dare go really slow is when there are big weak
thermals with no gusts. Otherwise it is only a case of when you are going to get
that auto rotation feeling. And the recovery from a wing drop when slow is time
and altitude consuming. As the article says, pays to attend to how the aircraft
flies. I am much more comfortable a little faster and a little higher bank angle
in the Cirrus.