Another EXTREMELY low thermal save

On Wednesday, June 12, 2019 at 12:53:40 AM UTC-4, John Foster wrote:
On Tuesday, June 11, 2019 at 8:39:51 PM UTC-6, wrote:
"As I get lower, I think less bank angle in my turns"
Why do you think that less bank is safer ? You can't slow a glider so it stalls/spin at 45 degrees bank, but certainly can at a less angle.
Maybe you mean protection against gusts ?
Dan

The steeper the bank angle, the smaller the vertical lift vector component becomes and the greater the horizontal vector becomes. This means that you need a higher speed to generate the same amount of lift. Thus, a slower speed or the same speed could result in a higher sink rate, which could change the apparent wind angle (angle of attack) over the wing and result in a spin/stall. That's the theory at least.

Hi John,

Bank angle; meaning, I'm not going to pull a 45/60-degree bank at two hundred plus feet trying to make a low save. If the thermal is that strong that I could pull 45 degrees in a normal condition, then I should be able to flatten out the glider and 'float' my way back out of the hole I just got in. The lower I go, the less bank angle I give myself to save from land out. I start thinking that way under 500' Also note, I talk about speed, speed, speed. "Don't get slow" and drive that in your head in this condition! Also, you better be looking at that yaw string! It has to be in this equation to minimize risk. It's about risk/reward. How much you want to get home based on how much you want to take a higher risk. My chances of falling out are greater with less bank angle but my risks have been reduced based on slow speed (pilot induced), stall/spin high bank angles... I've had some low saves at 250 feet, so this has worked for me.

Question; When do you know you probably should land and not try a save?

Answer; When you have your hand on the gear and jamming it in and out as you find that bit a lift you think is going to save you!



Note; Note the small amount of bank the pilot is putting into the turns. And, he had a bird marker which makes it a lot easier... He was always in control with multiple opportunities to land on the ground. I say, great job!



Regards,

Gary