So is the target bank angle always 45 degrees (with slowest safe speed for
that bank) or would you give up bank angle to slow down more i.e. focus on
speed control. Which gives you the tightest circle?

- Jim






The key point Evan makes (and I totally agree!) is that the strongest
lift is closest to the the center of a thermal, so flying slower
smaller diameter spirals will increase climb rate even though the
increased bank decreases the vertical component of lift. I had
opportunity to fly with some paragliders (with JS ) and even though
the paraglider min-sink isn't good, they outclimbed us because they
can fly such a small circle, and stay in the strongest lift.