29 Gliders
05-11-2008 | 10:05 AM
#1
Thread Starter
Line Holder
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 946
Likes: 14
From: 747 FO
29 Gliders
So I was lounging around by the lake enjoying one of those rare warm, blue sky, German Sundays watching my dogs go nuts in the water and fields when I look up above the tree line and see a two swarms of gliders lazilly circling about. It reminded me of discovery channel videos of vultures circling a dead gazelle or zebra and waiting for the lions to finish their meal before diving in on it.
I counted 29 gliders at one point. At least 22 in one thermal alone. My question for you glider pilots out there is how do you avoid hitting each other when seemingly every glider in the sky converges on the same updraft? This sight was something to behold. I understand see and avoid, but the amont of aircraft in such a small space got me wondering how that sight was orchestrated.
I counted 29 gliders at one point. At least 22 in one thermal alone. My question for you glider pilots out there is how do you avoid hitting each other when seemingly every glider in the sky converges on the same updraft? This sight was something to behold. I understand see and avoid, but the amont of aircraft in such a small space got me wondering how that sight was orchestrated.
05-11-2008 | 04:26 PM
#2
Day puke
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,865
Likes: 0
From: Out.
So I was lounging around by the lake enjoying one of those rare warm, blue sky, German Sundays watching my dogs go nuts in the water and fields when I look up above the tree line and see a two swarms of gliders lazilly circling about. It reminded me of discovery channel videos of vultures circling a dead gazelle or zebra and waiting for the lions to finish their meal before diving in on it.
I counted 29 gliders at one point. At least 22 in one thermal alone. My question for you glider pilots out there is how do you avoid hitting each other when seemingly every glider in the sky converges on the same updraft? This sight was something to behold. I understand see and avoid, but the amont of aircraft in such a small space got me wondering how that sight was orchestrated.
I counted 29 gliders at one point. At least 22 in one thermal alone. My question for you glider pilots out there is how do you avoid hitting each other when seemingly every glider in the sky converges on the same updraft? This sight was something to behold. I understand see and avoid, but the amont of aircraft in such a small space got me wondering how that sight was orchestrated.
http://www.avonhgpg.co.uk/sites/thermals.php?link=4
Keep the head on a swivel. Yeah, other gliders are bad, but the Mr. Magoos getting flight following on CAVU days are the worst.
05-15-2008 | 10:45 PM
#5
Day puke
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,865
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From: Out.
05-17-2008 | 05:41 AM
#6
Airport Hobo
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 844
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Often times I used to get flight following because many of our favorite mountain wave spots were along victor airways or jet routes. Especially important when I was up in New Hampshire because of traffic in and out of BTV. It was fun flying along and hearing a dash 8 have to strain their eyes to try and spot us. This was long before I flew airline. ATC usually had us just update them on position and altitude. Sometimes they could see the primary but not always. Flight following is useless against other gliders. Pilots I knew that had parachutes would wear them.
