Early morning struggle

[@ayalaliran9137]

Mike, like watching your videos, 50kts next to the ridge with 100kgs of water is a bit on a slow side though...

[@edtheduck6219]

Yes. Love the scenery in that part of the world but the ASI was giving me cause for concern occasionally. With that wing loading, it’s probably below min sink, let alone max L/D. A bit of shear or an adverse gust could produce a nasty moment (I’ve had a few of those round there) or worse. Speed is life!

[@mikeoliver4223]

Ayala, You're right of course, perhaps not the best example. In my defence I would say that it was very calm but I guess it can be calm up to the point when....it isn't!.

[@ayalaliran9137]

@@mikeoliver4223 Mike, it's that moment at the end around 16:40 when you turn left and the vario dropped and it went all quite for a second and the speed dropped and you go "uhhooo"....

[@mikeoliver4223]

Yep, watched it again, not surprisd I went uhhooo! One thing I love about the '29 is exactly how docile it is. I've tried abusing the rudder at all sorts of speeds, wingloadings and flap configurations and it really doesn;t want to drop a wing. but that' no reason to allow it to get too slow esp. close to terrain.

[@markplain2555]

Just a quick note to everyone here and Mike - thank you. This discussion is all VERY useful information. . I tracked the video to 16:40 and watched it myself with specific attention to Mike's ASI. He was turning away from the mountain when there was a sudden drop but 'note taken'. . I was taken back with him circling into the mountain face (I always believed you have to do a figure of 8) - but then again he is probably judging that he can easily turn back into the mountain face and easily complete his circle - so this has been another good lesson. I won't necessarily be repeating it myself.

[@tiestu7612]

Is it on the "parcours" by the "Trois Evéchés " ?

[@mikeoliver4223]

Indeed it is!

[@markplain2555]

Hi Mike - Marco here. I got your email and I am sorry I haven;t responded yet... BUT I have been watching your videos. Quick question: . . Typically when I thermal (in the flat lands of Ontario) I use the horizon to gauge my angle of attack. When you are in the mountains, you cannot see the horizon. How do you gauge your angle of attack? - purely from experience?

[@mikeoliver4223]

Good question and I have often wondered about how people are taught to fly in the mountains when we, in the flatlands, put so much emphasis on 'attitude'. I am still very cautious when turning towards rising ground and it is very easy to be unconsciously easing the stick back and losing speed. For me I think the most important instrument becomes your ears and knowing the sound of your glider and recognizing instantly if the speed is dropping.

[@ayalaliran9137]

speed, speed and speed...you have to watch the ASI

[@mikeoliver4223]

Agree with this but would also add string. Remember the exercise in tight turn with nose low , speed high and too much rudder? Somewhere in my videos I can hear myself talking when close to a ridge low down just repeating string and speed, string and speed.

[@markplain2555]

@@mikeoliver4223 That is a good point. I should add that when one thermals - the thermal itself will be rotating and I have often felt a 'tail wind component' where my stick feels very mushy and the wind dies, I immediately go stick forward through that patch. All this to say - I will start to concentrate more on connecting the sound to the atitude. Thanks again. I am hoping to be in the Pyranees this December for another intro flight to ridge soaring (with an instructor in the back seat). . Hopefull next year off to the French Alps side (my wife decides the general location where we will stay). I'm going to research St Auban as per your advice.

[@Fukenbumen]

Now I want to know how it ended? Did you gain enough altitude at Dormilouse to cross the valley? Did you go to Morgon and Guilleaume or did you take the Barcelonette route?

[@J34-p2j]

Rule of thumb in the parcours, if Dormilouse is not working, Morgon is not going to work....but, yes, Mike, what happened next???