lt;p class=quot;MsoNormalquot; style=quot;margin: 0cm 0cm 10ptquot;gt;lt;span lang=quot;EN-USquot;gt;lt;font size=quot;3quot; face=quot;Calibriquot;gt;As always, I bring up a topic like this to provide my own narrow minded view but primarily to bring about discussion from many listees, who are far more able to put into writing, what I intuitively understand, but canrsquo;t always verbalize.lt;br /gt;I have been fortunate to have been around to read many great articles written across a very long time span of Hang Gliding issues and some I have re-read more than once.lt;span style=quot;mso-spacerun: yesquot;gt;amp;#160; lt;/spangt;I have also, and advise you to do so as well, read many sailplane books on thermalling to help build my knowledge base.lt;span style=quot;mso-spacerun: yesquot;gt;amp;#160; lt;/spangt;I still do so because just like you, I am also still learning.lt;span style=quot;mso-spacerun: yesquot;gt;amp;#160; lt;/spangt;From a hanggliding consensus, some things that seem to be general rules are: lt;/fontgt;lt;/spangt;lt;/pgt;lt;p class=quot;MsoNormalquot; style=quot;margin: 0cm 0cm 10ptquot;gt;lt;span lang=quot;EN-USquot;gt;lt;font size=quot;3quot; face=quot;Calibriquot;gt;1. The lower you are in altitude, the higher the bank angle you will need to thermal at, to stay in the thermals, because they are likely to be small. Better to over bank at first than to under bank.lt;/fontgt;lt;/spangt;lt;/pgt;lt;p class=quot;MsoNormalquot; style=quot;margin: 0cm 0cm 10ptquot;gt;lt;span lang=quot;EN-USquot;gt;lt;font size=quot;3quot; face=quot;Calibriquot;gt;2.lt;span style=quot;mso-spacerun: yesquot;gt;amp;#160; lt;/spangt;As you gain altitude, thermals often widen and strengthen, and you are able to lower your bank angle and often obtain a better climb rate.lt;/fontgt;lt;/spangt;lt;/pgt;lt;p class=quot;MsoNormalquot; style=quot;margin: 0cm 0cm 10ptquot;gt;lt;span lang=quot;EN-USquot;gt;lt;font size=quot;3quot; face=quot;Calibriquot;gt;3.lt;span style=quot;mso-spacerun: yesquot;gt;amp;#160; lt;/spangt;Often I see pilots bank to quickly upon encountering lift and then fall off the thermal as they do their downwind rotation.lt;span style=quot;mso-spacerun: yesquot;gt;amp;#160; lt;/spangt;A very good rule of thumb is counting to 3 before you turn.lt;span style=quot;mso-spacerun: yesquot;gt;amp;#160; lt;/spangt;If you are low, then quickly may be your best option as you donrsquo;t have time and altitude to spare.lt;span style=quot;mso-spacerun: yesquot;gt;amp;#160; lt;/spangt;If higher, than you can afford to wait a little longer to explore the width of the thermal before you turn.lt;span style=quot;mso-spacerun: yesquot;gt;amp;#160; lt;/spangt;I prefer waiting as Irsquo;d rather turn back for a thermal thatrsquo;s behind me, than fall off the edge and lose altitude before I can rotate back to the lift.lt;/fontgt;lt;/spangt;lt;/pgt;lt;p class=quot;MsoNormalquot; style=quot;margin: 0cm 0cm 10ptquot;gt;lt;span lang=quot;EN-USquot;gt;lt;font size=quot;3quot; face=quot;Calibriquot;gt;4.lt;span style=quot;mso-spacerun: yesquot;gt;amp;#160; lt;/spangt;Locating and staying within the thermal is often a tricky part of thermalling and we use different tricks to do this.lt;span style=quot;mso-spacerun: yesquot;gt;amp;#160; lt;/spangt;One of the most important for new pilots to start out using, I think, is to visually locate a point on the ground below where you are thermalling so you can obtain a reference point.lt;span style=quot;mso-spacerun: yesquot;gt;amp;#160; lt;/spangt;Recognizing that your thermal will drift with the prevailing wind.lt;span style=quot;mso-spacerun: yesquot;gt;amp;#160; lt;/spangt;Strong thermals donrsquo;t seem to drift as fast as the wind so donrsquo;t over estimate the drift rate.lt;span style=quot;mso-spacerun: yesquot;gt;amp;#160; lt;/spangt;If you lose your thermal, be sure and do a search down wind and then upwind on your expected drift line.lt;/fontgt;lt;/spangt;lt;/pgt;lt;p class=quot;MsoNormalquot; style=quot;margin: 0cm 0cm 10ptquot;gt;lt;span lang=quot;EN-USquot;gt;lt;font size=quot;3quot; face=quot;Calibriquot;gt;5.lt;span style=quot;mso-spacerun: yesquot;gt;amp;#160; lt;/spangt;Instrument location is also an excellent way to thermal and especially useful at higher altitudes.lt;span style=quot;mso-spacerun: yesquot;gt;amp;#160; lt;/spangt;It is the method I use, so donrsquo;t fly close to me when you see me thermalling!lt;span style=quot;mso-spacerun: yesquot;gt;amp;#160; lt;/spangt;In this method, you actually watch your instrument climb rate and as it peaks in strength during your rotation, you pick a point on the horizon off your outside wing and as you come back around, you move your thermal circle in that direction.lt;span style=quot;mso-spacerun: yesquot;gt;amp;#160; lt;/spangt;Also keep in mind that your instrument deck has a delay in it so a good pilot will recognize that maximum lift actually occurred at a point slightly behind this visual point and adjust his circle accordingly.lt;/fontgt;lt;/spangt;lt;/pgt;lt;p class=quot;MsoNormalquot; style=quot;margin: 0cm 0cm 10ptquot;gt;lt;span lang=quot;EN-USquot;gt;lt;font size=quot;3quot; face=quot;Calibriquot;gt;.lt;span style=quot;mso-spacerun: yesquot;gt;amp;#160; lt;/spangt;The most efficient thermalling circle is one that is very concentric.lt;span style=quot;mso-spacerun: yesquot;gt;amp;#160; lt;/spangt;I am speaking from a glider efficiency point of view.lt;span style=quot;mso-spacerun: yesquot;gt;amp;#160; lt;/spangt;It is also easier to stay centered if you can circle concentrically.lt;span style=quot;mso-spacerun: yesquot;gt;amp;#160; lt;/spangt;Advanced pilots will often change their bank angles constantly as they milk the pulses in a thermal. Irsquo;d advise waiting a while on that technique as it can cause you to lose the core.lt;/fontgt;lt;/spangt;lt;/pgt;lt;p class=quot;MsoNormalquot; style=quot;margin: 0cm 0cm 10ptquot;gt;lt;span lang=quot;EN-USquot;gt;lt;font size=quot;3quot; face=quot;Calibriquot;gt;.lt;span style=quot;mso-spacerun: yesquot;gt;amp;#160; lt;/spangt;The most common mistake I see in recreational thermalling is that pilots fly through lift without testing it and giving up on lift to soon. If you fly through some lift that is more than 2 seconds wide, and you have a safe glide to a landing field, unless you have a visual reference of something better, than Irsquo;d advise you to turn and explore what you just flew through.lt;span style=quot;mso-spacerun: yesquot;gt;amp;#160; lt;/spangt;If you are in lift that is sustaining you, or allowing you to climb, unless you have a visual reference of something better, than Irsquo;d advise staying right where you are and continue to work and explore what you have.lt;span style=quot;mso-spacerun: yesquot;gt;amp;#160; lt;/spangt;This is key to becoming a sky god!lt;/fontgt;lt;/spangt;lt;/pgt;lt;p class=quot;MsoNormalquot; style=quot;margin: 0cm 0cm 10ptquot;gt;lt;span lang=quot;EN-USquot;gt;lt;font size=quot;3quot; face=quot;Calibriquot;gt;8.lt;span style=quot;mso-spacerun: yesquot;gt;amp;#160; lt;/spangt;If the core is tight and strong, then Irsquo;d advise flying it in kind. Meaning attack it with high bank and higher flying speed.lt;span style=quot;mso-spacerun: yesquot;gt;amp;#160; lt;/spangt;If the core is broad and mellow lift, then fly it the same way, lower bank, lower speed, and mellower.lt;/fontgt;lt;/spangt;lt;/pgt;lt;p class=quot;MsoNormalquot; style=quot;margin: 0cm 0cm 10ptquot;gt;lt;span lang=quot;EN-USquot;gt;lt;font size=quot;3quot;gt;lt;font face=quot;Calibriquot;gt;lt;span style=quot;mso-spacerun: yesquot;gt;amp;#160;lt;/spangt;9.lt;span style=quot;mso-spacerun: yesquot;gt;amp;#160; lt;/spangt;THE MOST IMPORTANT 100 FEET OF CLIMB IS YOUR FIRST 100 FEET!lt;span style=quot;mso-spacerun: yesquot;gt;amp;#160; lt;/spangt;I canrsquo;t emphasize this enough.lt;span style=quot;mso-spacerun: yesquot;gt;amp;#160; lt;/spangt;If you can climb 100 feet in a thermal, then it is likely that you can climb out on that thermal.lt;span style=quot;mso-spacerun: yesquot;gt;amp;#160; lt;/spangt;The first 100 feet is generally your hardest and longest, so really sink your teeth into it.lt;span style=quot;mso-spacerun: yesquot;gt;amp;#160; lt;/spangt;Get mad if you need to.lt;span style=quot;mso-spacerun: yesquot;gt;amp;#160; lt;/spangt;Be aggressive.lt;span style=quot;mso-spacerun: yesquot;gt;amp;#160; lt;/spangt;Act as if you donrsquo;t stay in this thermal then you will have to go land (this might be true!).lt;/fontgt;lt;/fontgt;lt;/spangt;lt;/pgt;lt;p class=quot;MsoNormalquot; style=quot;margin: 0cm 0cm 10ptquot;gt;lt;span lang=quot;EN-USquot;gt;lt;font size=quot;3quot; face=quot;Calibriquot;gt;10.lt;span style=quot;mso-spacerun: yesquot;gt;amp;#160; lt;/spangt;If you have landable fields downwind in the direction that you are thermalling and drifting, then quit worrying about the landing field!lt;span style=quot;mso-spacerun: yesquot;gt;amp;#160; lt;/spangt;This is also a very important lesson to learn and remember.lt;/fontgt;lt;/spangt;lt;/pgt;lt;p class=quot;MsoNormalquot; style=quot;margin: 0cm 0cm 10ptquot;gt;lt;span lang=quot;EN-USquot;gt;lt;font size=quot;3quot; face=quot;Calibriquot;gt;11.lt;span style=quot;mso-spacerun: yesquot;gt;amp;#160; lt;/spangt;Depending on your site, donrsquo;t be afraid to drift up, over, and to the back side of your hill as long as your are high and can stay safe from rotors.lt;span style=quot;mso-spacerun: yesquot;gt;amp;#160; lt;/spangt;Ask your local mentors what they think is a safe altitude for the wind conditions and your equipment.lt;/fontgt;lt;/spangt;lt;/pgt;lt;p class=quot;MsoNormalquot; style=quot;margin: 0cm 0cm 10ptquot;gt;lt;span lang=quot;EN-USquot;gt;lt;font size=quot;3quot; face=quot;Calibriquot;gt;12.lt;span style=quot;mso-spacerun: yesquot;gt;amp;#160; lt;/spangt;Learn to be patient in your thermalling.lt;span style=quot;mso-spacerun: yesquot;gt;amp;#160; lt;/spangt;It is very easy to climb and then bail out downwind for distance and then find yourself on the ground watching your more patient friends flying over and into the distance as you break down.lt;span style=quot;mso-spacerun: yesquot;gt;amp;#160; lt;/spangt;Donrsquo;t out fly the lift.lt;span style=quot;mso-spacerun: yesquot;gt;amp;#160; lt;/spangt;Unfortunately, I speak from experience on this matter!lt;/fontgt;lt;/spangt;lt;/pgt;lt;p class=quot;MsoNormalquot; style=quot;margin: 0cm 0cm 10ptquot;gt;lt;span lang=quot;EN-USquot;gt;lt;font size=quot;3quot; face=quot;Calibriquot;gt;13.lt;span style=quot;mso-spacerun: yesquot;gt;amp;#160; lt;/spangt;Try and fly with, and like, those mentors who always seem to thermal well and stay up the longest in the thermal conditions.lt;span style=quot;mso-spacerun: yesquot;gt;amp;#160; lt;/spangt;They must be doing something right. lt;/fontgt;lt;/spangt;lt;/pgt;lt;p class=quot;MsoNormalquot; style=quot;margin: 0cm 0cm 10ptquot;gt;lt;span lang=quot;EN-USquot;gt;lt;font size=quot;3quot; face=quot;Calibriquot;gt;14.lt;span style=quot;mso-spacerun: yesquot;gt;amp;#160; lt;/spangt;Donrsquo;t be afraid to be at high altitudes.lt;span style=quot;mso-spacerun: yesquot;gt;amp;#160; lt;/spangt;The rules of aerodynamics are the same.lt;span style=quot;mso-spacerun: yesquot;gt;amp;#160; lt;/spangt;The higher you are, generally the safer you are.lt;span style=quot;mso-spacerun: yesquot;gt;amp;#160; lt;/spangt;It just doesnrsquo;t look that way.lt;/fontgt;lt;/spangt;lt;/pgt;lt;p class=quot;MsoNormalquot; style=quot;margin: 0cm 0cm 10ptquot;gt;lt;span lang=quot;EN-USquot;gt;lt;font size=quot;3quot; face=quot;Calibriquot;gt;15.lt;span style=quot;mso-spacerun: yesquot;gt;amp;#160; lt;/spangt;Be aware that learning how to thermal will be something you will be working on for the next 50 years of your hang gliding career.lt;span style=quot;mso-spacerun: yesquot;gt;amp;#160; lt;/spangt;It is never mastered, only improved upon!lt;/fontgt;lt;/spangt;lt;/pgt;lt;p class=quot;MsoNormalquot; style=quot;margin: 0cm 0cm 10ptquot;gt;lt;span lang=quot;EN-USquot;gt;lt;font size=quot;3quot; face=quot;Calibriquot;gt;There are many more, but these should give you newer pilots some food for thought and hopefully others will add to, and correct, some of my mis-explanations.lt;/fontgt;lt;/spangt;lt;/pgt;lt;p class=quot;MsoNormalquot; style=quot;margin: 0cm 0cm 10ptquot;gt;lt;span lang=quot;EN-USquot;gt;lt;font size=quot;3quot; face=quot;Calibriquot;gt;Safe thermalling.lt;/fontgt;lt;/spangt;lt;/pgt;lt;p class=quot;MsoNormalquot; style=quot;margin: 0cm 0cm 10ptquot;gt;lt;span lang=quot;EN-USquot;gt;lt;font size=quot;3quot; face=quot;Calibriquot;gt;by Wayne Hobbslt;/fontgt;lt;/spangt;lt;/pgt;



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