Thermal Approach Procedures Thermalling Part 2 Thermal Approach Procedures GFA Coaching

THE EYE We can see and identify only what the mind permits us to see. The eye has blind spots. To see effectively you must move your head. 1.We depend on the eyes to provide the basic inputs necessary for flying aircraft. 2. The eye and our vision is vulnerable to: -dust - fatigue -emotion -germs -fallen eyelashes -age -optical illusions -alcohol -medications 4.Problems: - Accommodation. The eye needs time to accommodate, ie re-focusing. The change from the cockpit to focusing on an aircraft may take one to two seconds. This is a long time when research indicates that it may take 10 seconds to process the information to avoid a mid air collission. - Empty field myopia- happens at high altitudes and on vague colourless days when there is nothing to focus on. - Bipolar vision. To accept what we see we need cues from both eyes.Moving the head helps to offset this. - Narrow field of vision. Eyes accept light through an arc of nearly 200 degrees, but are limited to a narrow area of 10- 15 degrees. It is essential to move your head when looking for targets. 5.Resolution -Regular testing -Good correction -Good diet -Well rested -Move the head -Study, review and use recommended scan patterns

THE GLIDER The glider has blind spots-to see effectively you must move your head

TO BE SAFE LOOKOUT-SCAN EFFECTIVELY BY MOVING YOUR HEAD MANOEUVRE-BE SITUATIONALLY AWARE AND POSITION THE SAILPLANE SO THAT IT CAN BE SEEN BY OTHER PILOTS

SCAN PATTERNS MOVE YOUR HEAD Cruising scan-Forward conical scan 60 deg.left/right.Up and down. The area ahead of the sailplane is a prime collision risk zone. Full scan-Complete visible sky scan. A scan of all the airspace visible to the pilot from his/her position and orientation. Targeted scan-Scan concentrating on a specific area.Scans conducted of specific areas of the sky,at designated times and for specific reasons

POSITION THE SAILPLANE Normal entry Spiral entry

NORMAL ENTRY

SPIRAL ENTRY

POSITIONING

THE RULES Assume that all other aircraft have not seen you. Always be aware of what is happening around you. Always keep other sailplanes in sight and ensure that you can be seen. A sailplane that remains stationary in the canopy and is growing larger, is going to hit you unless you take avoiding action.

MORE RULES The first sailplane in the thermal has the right of way. Join the thermal to turn in the same direction. When joining ensure that other sailplanes do not have to manoeuvre to avoid you. If there is more than one sailplane thermalling in different directions turn in the same direction as the one at your height. Do not pull up or dive sharply in the thermal. Do not pull up in front of another sailplane.

SITUATIONAL AWARNESS

ADJUST THE BANK

SAFE AND SEEN

GETTING CLOSER

LOOKOUT!!!!

LOOKOUT!!!!

SITUATIONAL CHANGES

MONITOR

MORE MANOUVRING

SOUND ADVICE Make sure that you can see the other sailplanes and that they can see you. Lookout for other gliders joining or flying through the thermal. Do not turn inside another sailplane unless you can maintain adequate separation even if they tighten their turn. Leave the thermal if other sailplanes are getting too close or too much of your attention is given watching other sailplanes.

LOOKOUT SAFETY IS NO ACCIDENT IT STARTS WITH YOU