On Oct 22, 10:12 am, Nyal Williams
wrote:
Frightening! That you would slow down to decrease
forward motion. What happens with downdrafts or wind
shear after you have given up the option for altitude
that speed gives you.

snip

Frightening? Really? It actually works very well with a bit of head
wind. Backcountry power pilots occasionally use this technique as
well.

It could be "Frightening" on a normal approach but remember the
context. A Downdraft or Windshear would be welcomed as the whole point
is to lose altitude. It does requires some expertise in slow flight
and stall awareness. But then glider pilots or at least soaring pilots
are supposed to be the experts at slow flight. Once you get down
close to a normal approach angle simply accelerate (which will bleed
off some more altitude) to your normal approach speed and fly the
remaining part of the approach normally. In fact it is necessary that
at about 200 feet AGL or higher that you do accelerate to a normal
approach speed so that you will have enough energy to flare with.

I would strongly recommend practicing it with an instructor and in the
specific airplane before having to use it. Usually with gliders there
are other, as good, or better options to this technique.



Brian