GREAT PLANES Spectra Instruction Manual - Page 15

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When encountering sink, immediately turn and fly 90

degrees to the direction of the wind (towards you if

possible). Apply a little "down elevator" and pick up some

speed to get out of the sink as fast as possible. Every

second you stay in the sink is precious altitude lost.

Pointers for Contest Soaring

Pay Attention! – Pay close attention to the electric

sailplanes flying before you, watch them and try to establish

where and when the thermals are being formed. Thermals

are often formed in cycles and can be fairly regular, so if you

keep track of the time intervals you will have a pretty good

idea of when and where a thermal may be generated.

Watch The Birds! – Thermals suck up small insects that

many birds love to eat. A bunch of swallows flying around in

one area may indicate a thermal. Soaring birds (hawks,

vultures, eagles etc.) are the best thermal indicators. They

not only show you where the thermal is but they also show

you where the center is. These "Masters of the Sky" will

often fly right along with electric sailplanes.

Practice Those Landings! – Most thermal contests are

won or lost during the landing. Establish a particular landing

pattern and try to stick to it for all landings. Learn to shift

your pattern to account for the wind and the particular flying

field characteristics.

Concentrate! – Keep your eye on your electric sailplane

during your contest flights. Have a helper or your counter

watch the other planes in the air. Sometimes your electric

sailplane will wiggle so quickly or gently that you may miss

it if you are not paying close attention. If you find a

productive thermal, don't leave it because your helper tells

you that someone else has found a different one.

Know Your Electric Sailplane! – Learn what your electric

sailplane will and won't do and fly within this envelope. This

will allow you to ride thermals downwind while knowing

when you have to head back to make your landing safely.

Learn From The Wind! – Keep track of which way the wind

is blowing. If the wind suddenly shifts, there is some thermal

action fairly close to you. The air is probably being either

sucked up into a thermal or falling out of some sink. In either

case it is often a good idea to fly in the direction the wind is

blowing if your sailplane is in the general area. This will take

you towards a thermal if there is one or away from the sink,

both of which are desirable.

Have a ball! Remember to always stay in control and fly

in a safe manner.