At 18:11 07 November 2008, vic20owner wrote:
It's been a week since I've checked on this thread, thanks for the
replies.

The spoilers and landing airspeed discussion was interesting and I
understand what the concerns are regarding the final turn+spoilers+low
speed (and possibly momentary tail wind) = stall. Wind on this day
was 4 knots or less on average.

My next flight is this Sunday and I am greatly looking forward to it.
Naturally the more I learn the less I can stop thinking about it.

Yes, I do fly in Condor (simulator) often. I have started using rudder
pedals and disabled the twist control for the rudder. I have been
practicing winch launches (fun) and stall and stall spin recovery, and
landings. I will soon find out if I have taught myself bad habits! I
have been doing a lot of reading (glider flying handbook) and watching
a lot of videos of other's glider lessons (many found on youtube).
Lately I have been avoiding tow ups because I do not want to learn bad
habits for dealing with slack in the rope, etc.

Yellow Triangle = lowest recommended approach speed at max weight
without water ballast, correct?


Absolutely correct for anything designed according to modern European
standards. Older stuff or non-Euro gliders may not have this marking.


I have been searching google but am unable to find the steps in which
a student generally progresses through lessons. For example, trim for
speed, coordinated turns, stall recovery, landing, takeoff, etc. I am
sure this varies depending on student and instructor, but it would be
nice to know which things I should be practicing in the simulator for
my next few flying lessons.

Thanks
-tom


That's a reasonable syllabus; get used to handling the glider safely in
the air before doing too much close to the ground. Once you can land then
expect to be taught pattern/circuit planning, spin avoidance & recovery
and, if learning at a winch site, plenty of launch failures.

Have fun,
Edward