Pointers For Contest Soaring - GREAT PLANES Spectra Instruction Manual

When encountering sink, immediately turn and fly 90
degrees to the direction of the wind (towards you if
possible). Apply a little "down elevator" and pick up some
speed to get out of the sink as fast as possible. Every
second you stay in the sink is precious altitude lost.

Pointers for Contest Soaring

Pay Attention! – Pay close attention to the electric
sailplanes flying before you, watch them and try to establish
where and when the thermals are being formed. Thermals
are often formed in cycles and can be fairly regular, so if you
keep track of the time intervals you will have a pretty good
idea of when and where a thermal may be generated.
Watch The Birds! – Thermals suck up small insects that
many birds love to eat. A bunch of swallows flying around in
one area may indicate a thermal. Soaring birds (hawks,
vultures, eagles etc.) are the best thermal indicators. They
not only show you where the thermal is but they also show
you where the center is. These "Masters of the Sky" will
often fly right along with electric sailplanes.
Practice Those Landings! – Most thermal contests are
won or lost during the landing. Establish a particular landing
pattern and try to stick to it for all landings. Learn to shift
your pattern to account for the wind and the particular flying
field characteristics.
Concentrate! – Keep your eye on your electric sailplane
during your contest flights. Have a helper or your counter
watch the other planes in the air. Sometimes your electric
sailplane will wiggle so quickly or gently that you may miss
it if you are not paying close attention. If you find a
productive thermal, don't leave it because your helper tells
you that someone else has found a different one.
Know Your Electric Sailplane! – Learn what your electric
sailplane will and won't do and fly within this envelope. This
will allow you to ride thermals downwind while knowing
when you have to head back to make your landing safely.
Learn From The Wind! – Keep track of which way the wind
is blowing. If the wind suddenly shifts, there is some thermal
action fairly close to you. The air is probably being either
sucked up into a thermal or falling out of some sink. In either
case it is often a good idea to fly in the direction the wind is
blowing if your sailplane is in the general area. This will take
you towards a thermal if there is one or away from the sink,
both of which are desirable.
Have a ball! Remember to always stay in control and fly
in a safe manner.
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