Thread: Maintaining altitude
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Old May 16th 08, 07:31 PM posted to rec.aviation.student,rec.aviation.piloting
Jim Stewart
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Posts: 437
Default Maintaining altitude
Mxsmanic wrote:
writes:

One is vertical wind, i.e. turbulance and thermals.

Are thermals strong enough to raise a small GA aircraft in the same way that
they raise gliders? That is, could a small GA powered aircraft remain aloft
indefinitely by riding thermals, or is it just not a good-enough glider?

I've had a thermal lift me up 100 feet in a couple
of seconds. The thought of which should have you
running to the bathroom.