Finding the core

Finding the core of a narrow +5 thermal.
#paragliding #flatlands

[@sgdran]

Hello! How do you manage your break inputs to core thermals? It looks like you keep your inner break steady while you manage the outer, like textbooks say... But don't you think that method sends the turn out of proper coordination (it's a yaw input while the bank angle remains steady). I would like to know your opinion on this. Thanks!

[@kurkotava801]

In the relatively strong thermal, I use the outer brake very slightly, only to control pressure, etc. I'm always trying to keep the airspeed as high as possible. The inner brake input change amplitude is no more than 3-5 cm. I'm working more with the weight shift. For my wing (PHI Maestro 1 S, load at end, 85 kg in-flight weight) this is the only possible variant to safely manage turbulent thermals. But thanks for the comment! I will more be experimenting to manage the yaw. The thermaling efficiency is still my main problem.

[@sgdran]

I wanted to know your opinion because I can see your thermalling skills are solid (I've watched your other videos as well). I can thermal decently myself, but I'm currently doing my research into other, maybe more exotic approaches to thermaling, to implement them in my technique and squeeze a little more out of these devilish beasts (thermals)😅. Thank you for your precise answer, which gives me new meat for thought and further experimenting. Like your videos very much. Keep posting! 👌

[@kurkotava801]

​@@sgdran Thanks :) I can share two really exotic techniques (I use them): 1. "The toilet paper method" :) When you are in the core or near it, just freeze your position and do nothing for some turns, then, maybe, correct slightly against the wind, if needed. The philosophy is - the piece of paper working in thermals is always better because the paper does nothing wrong ))) And is an opportunity to relax for you. 2. "Lazy upwind thermalling". When you are in the weak thermal and you need to go against the wind - just fly straight upwind with more or slight brakes. It's working with wind 10-15 km/h and thermal 1-2 m/s. As a result you lose relative air height but stay in the thermal drift (in the cone). Not always. :) I have repeatedly flown several kilometres in this way with the updraft or in zeros. I'll see if I can get some footage about these techniques (but afraid of getting a lot of criticism) 😀

[@sgdran]

@@kurkotava801 I definately love and apply "toilet paper method", but didn't have a name for it 🤣. One of the reasons it works is because it filters the "lift noise" (the vario beeps sometimes due to gusts or just the natural oscillations of the glider when flying in bumpy air). We might quick-react to those and ruin the coring process... The "lazy upwind thermaling" makes a lot of sense. I'll try it next time I'll go flying 💪 Here's my grain of sand: Let's call it "The slide". When you're circling but not yet centered and your outer wing hits more lift, reduce your inner weightshift (thus loading the outer wing more to oppose the pull) and pull more inner brake. You'll induce a side-slip to squeeze a bit more lift but still keep circling... I'm still refining this idea 🧐 Stay open to criticism with the right amount of skepticism, and your performance will definately go up, although I honestly think your thermaling skills are already very good. Thank you for your tips!!

[@kurkotava801]

"The slide" - looks great, thank you! I'll try the weight shift more to the outer side in this manner. Hope for good weather at Vilnius Open this weekend!