Trikers & Thermals

[CHARLIE WHISKEY]

Maybe an old topic but:

Why don't trikers like Thermals?

Seems like 90% of trikers don't like it. Why?.
Thermals for me is like practice the more you do it ,the easier it gets.

So Why?
Lack of understanding ?

Dieselfan ! I know you got some wise words for us.....

[Arnulf]

Maybe an old topic but:

Why don't trikers like Thermals?

Seems like 90% of trikers don't like it. Why?.
Thermals for me is like practice the more you do it ,the easier it gets.

So Why?
Lack of understanding ?

Dieselfan ! I know you got some wise words for us.....

Thermals.......its only air. Nothing to be afraid of! 016

[DarkHelmet]

Coz most of the training gets done in smooth conditions and not much during thermic conditions

[SkyJunkie]

Coz most of the training gets done in smooth conditions and not much during thermic conditions

Not with Flo Momberg at Aero 57 you don't!! You get THE WHOLE enchilada

I've only done about 8 hours (signed up end of last year) the bad wx has seriously hindered us students. But the moment Flo is comfortable with our capabilities we're in it. And if we get thrown around for an hour he's delighted, at least we'll know what to do once we're solo!

[Arnulf]

Flew yesterday at 13:30, and then again at 15:30. The fun factor flying in shorts and shirt only is worth the odd bump.

[DieselFan]

I don't have money for a flight suit so shorts and t-shirt, plus my wife hates me getting up early as it wakes her up. Plus I don't fancy the idea of getting up early as you don't really sleep, you lie waiting for the "clock"

Pros:
-Sleep late
-Warmer - MUCH, I once landed on a farm to take off shirt it was too hot - felt like a real vaalie.
-More "awake" / alert due to sleep pattern, faster reflexes
-Visibility WAY better, No sharp sun angles giving headaches. Also easier to see landing options.
-My pax enjoy it more as they're more confortable from a normal "wakeup" routine.
- Flying low over open areas is nice and warm not cold like mornings - even if just on face / hands.
- Less chance of bugging people / waking the neighbours.
- Learn more about weather patterns and builds confidence.
- Don't feel as fatigued flying a 4/5 hour flight
- Use less fuel to compensate for lift so I used to avg about 300rpm less than mornings.
Cons:
- Can be dangerous, dust devils. I've been caught in quite a few. Some on purpose others not. I once counted 9 over 2sqm.
- Not anywhere as smooth, feels like a boat on large waves most the time so it's gentle enough.
- The shadows of the bloody Boeings scare the crap outa you. Now I know how birds feel
---------------------------------------
If I want smooth wx I fly afternoon as it only gets better and better.

For me the worst times are around 9-11am. Which is probably why most trikers don't want to fly midday as they experience the "start" and think it gets worse, but actually it doesn't it becomes more gradual. Not the sharp bumps. I think it's best to go as things become "stabily" hot.

When I look at log, just over 1/4 of my flying time is early morn or late afternoon. Most is between 11 and 4pm. and I LOVE flying.

Various areas do have "phases", eg when I fly secunda area the bumps tend to be more sharp and annoying, Loskop area smooth waves.

I personally think it's a best kept secret not a bravo thing at all and more should try it. It's the sharp bumps that scare people and are crappy.

I think what adds to it is that I've normally got no destination. As I fly I add GPS points for future emergency landing spots.

I need my fix

[Bacardi]

I also make a point to fly the occasional bad one, just to try and get used to it. As noted previously, the more the easier.

I hate bad thermals.

[C205]

wHAT SCARES THE %^# out of me is when I've got full power on the 503 and still descending. I keep on telling myself where there's downdraft there have to be thermals (learnt that in gliding). Flew on Saturday afternoon in 'bumpy' conditions. Good experience although my knuckles were white . Great fun!

[Big-D]

I thing in trikes it depends alot on the wing

Dieselfan does fly midday all the time, BUT he flies the best rated turbulence wing 10 years in a row - Air Creation XP

To me, I am comfartable flying as pax with Diesel in the bumbs, personally when I am PIC I don't like it - DH and I once had to fly home at 1p.m - Rock and roll, not that bad, I could handle it but I prefer crisp morning air - My 2c

D

[mile high]

I like what DF said- as I fly I add possible emergency landing points to my GPS- that is a good idea. Will definitely remember that when I fly.

Thanks for the tip.

[Wargames]

This is a real good topic. Funny so few guys said anything.

The thing about triking for me, is that it is sport, and a hobby. We all do it because we love it. Lets face it, turbulence really lets the addrenalin flowing. And many guys don't like it too much. There is nothing better than a clear, crisp winter morning, without a breeze in the air and not a bump to be found. That is what triking is about. The rest is personal choice.

It is however a art to fly turbulence, and it is not something learnt overnight. It takes time. It is necesary to push yourself a bit, for that one time that it is required to fly it heavy turbulence when you get caught in it.

It is better to go out with friends who know turbulence to help you thru it. This is also what triking is about. flying with friends.

[CHARLIE WHISKEY]

Through all the inputs some conclusions:
Thus:
1) The less you fly T the more some okes resist to fly T
Not only students but "ou ballies" as wel.
cure : Fly more freq . & puch youself just a bit farther every time.

2) Most feared is the landings.
Give power and fly trike in.

3) Wing Surface - Bigger wing more surface =more impact. Small wing less surface =less impact.
The faster (or better penetration you got) the less the impact on wing.
Big wings ,noting like takeing off power and searching for the lift.

4) Trikers raise they're own blood pressure even before take-off.
Don't listen to any "weather experts" on a Fly-inn, who S...ted himself on the thougt of bumping all the way back to home aero & came by car for moral support for his buddy's.

5)Radio talk :
Don't tell your flying buddies how s..t the "skommel" is , keep it to yourself and "byt vas".

--------------------
Please ad any advice from your own exp...

Luckely I had an instructor a very while back, that was so scared of the"windkous" . We later parted due to no debreving after flights, When the engine stops he's gone every time(for a few weeks). Gues my curiosity for flying through the day took the better of him .

Ja Turbulence is lekker .


Cheers

[Big-D]

You and Dieselfan will get on like a house on fire

Suppose you right, at the end of the day it is about having fun - CharlieWhiskey and Dieselfan like the feeling of riding the waves, some other trikers don't and that's OK.

Charlie Whiskey just proved my point again - The WING makes for good flying in bumps or not - What do you have again CharlieWhiskey ?

Oh yes a Lamoutte - Probably the closest thing to Air Creation

Ask Dieselfan about the day he decided to take a "normal" trike up in midday conditions he landed very quickly, maybe he had to go for a wiz

D

[DieselFan]

I like what DF said- as I fly I add possible emergency landing points to my GPS- that is a good idea. Will definitely remember that when I fly.

Thanks for the tip.

My use of words were wrong . Emergency landings we're always on the lookout for.

Precautionary spots tho allow us to be more judgemental. Also remember that some of the spots will only be accesible in certain times of the year - mielies. and the length of the grass...some props do ok as weedeaters.

I found that when looking out for precautionary spots I realised just how few DECENT spots there are when things go awry.

[CHARLIE WHISKEY]

Ja I hear you BIG-D, wing makes a big div.

But I'm flying Windloos 503, 18.5wing now, Right here at the bottom of the "food chain".

So the investigation is to:
a) find out why okes with more performance driven wings some are scared s..t and some okes with Windloos/Aquillas1/2 fly through lunch times.
b) Try and establish some guides or sence of "No fear for Mr.T "

Some don't like it ja,thats a personal choice WHY?.

Through Instruction I and many other Instr. that I know try to fly as many as possible (with certain modules) in Mr.T . So that student get the worst , and to Gear him for flying one day solo in Mr.T .
But still after many years you meet up again and only to find out he's never flown Mr.T again only small Mr.t's.

----------

Thus:
No understanding of Mr.T ?
Missinformed student or Missinformed Instructor?
Just affraid?


BIG-D
I think we must visit for a Brekkie, the "Patch Flyers Club" and ask Tobie From Aviators Paradise Hanggliders to give us some lectures on Turbulance.
Would he be interested?