Debunking Glider Spoiler Turns Causing Spin Thinking

On Tuesday, June 2, 2015 at 8:15:06 AM UTC+1, Kevin Neave wrote:
Hi John,

If you're having to use the airbrakes everytime have you considered opening
up the circuit? Or is there something at Portmoak that prevents this?

I'm quite happy to use (or have my pupils use) airbrakes during final turn
if they were using them on base leg. Less happy for pupils to open them
during the turn. The final turn probably takes about 5 seconds so why not
wait 'til wings are level and the picture has stabilised before opening the
brakes. Why increase the workload for the sake of a few seconds?

KN

I respect the standard teaching for pupils and it is a sensible approach for them and for low performance gliders and others with very powerful airbrakes - but take a look at pictures of experienced pilots in high performance gliders turning onto finals and see how many of them have the airbrakes cracked open. I am not alone. BTW I didn't say I opened them during the final turn - for me on a normal circuit pattern the height judgement and adjustment starts somewhere on the base leg. During the final turn my attention is devoted to airspeed and lookout rather than height as I have already been thinking about that. I believe that is a safer practice for me.

JG