2 low saves on a 60km XC to Oxford

[@cass6590]

Nicely done! Especially those low saves!

[@simoncourtney1592]

Amazing video! What is the glide ratio of those in "undisturbed air"?

[@MikeJTPG]

Hey. 10:1 give or take but it varies wildly and any day where we can get to base it always does. It also depends on the drag, so a higher aspect competition wing with a racing harness will do better. They are heavier and bulkier though. Horses for courses 😀

[@simoncourtney1592]

@@MikeJTPG Sounds like you know your stuff! To me it looks like the conditions and performance can change so rapidly from second to second having watched your video near the could base.

[@andydonaldson]

Nice one Mike.

[@MikeJTPG]

Thanks

[@TrevorDennis100]

What's the procedure when you enter dense cloud and you are not alone? How do you avoid collisions? I loved seeing Oxford college buildings from above.

[@MikeJTPG]

Hey, The first point is to not to enter cloud at all. I should have stopped turning a 360 earlier and maintained the 45’ angle rule, but was caught off-guard as it was my first time to base that day, However, I knew I was at the edge of a small cloud so decided decent techniques such as big-ears weren’t needed. If we do inadvertently enter cloud, 1) Check on the proximity of others to be sure you’re not on a collision course. 2) Take a bearing and follow that bearing. 3) If you’re unfortunate enough to get sucked into the centre of a big cloud, pull big-ears and then put on speed-bar to get out ASAP. Keeping calm and a constant bearing to leave lift is more effective than spiralling because you’d be fighting strong lift. On big cloud days I’d have kept well clear of cloudbase and have changed course in the past to do so.

[@g1zhd-adam]

Do you guys use Flarm?

[@cass6590]

I know a fair few do now. I have an XCTracer which has Flarm on it.

[@MikeJTPG]

Yes mate. I have Flarm on my Oudie. I also deliberately wear a bright jacket and have a wing with orange in it.

[@g1zhd-adam]

@@MikeJTPG My glider syndicate have now install strobes and a transponder, on top of having a Flarm to become as visible as possible. but when I see you guys coming out of the side of clouds it does concern me what options we would have if a para-glider suddenly came in to view at cloud base. Love the video by the way.

[@MikeJTPG]

@@g1zhd-adam Great point, and I should have stopped turning a 360 earlier to keep to the 45’ rule but was caught off guard. If it had been a big cloud day I’d have been more switched on. I’ve seen a strobe in a PG once in Spain but it’s uncommon to say the least. I use FLARM and bright colours on my wing and jacket, because a sailplane zipped underneath me a couple of years ago when I was thermalling near Pandy. I didn’t see it coming until it was nearly on me. He was on a fast glide. I have it on video and the pilot had seen me. I’m glad you like the vid. They really don’t do the experience justice do they. 😃

[@MikeJTPG]

This is a sailplane encounter I caught on video kzbin.info/www/bejne/rHOxiayKi9-Wo6csi=u-SznxQEmL9wz45K