Thermal Clinic

Clinics & Classes:   Pilot Tune-Up & Rating   SB Site Intro Clinic   Thermal Soaring Clinic   Weather Clinic   Cross-Country Clinic   Ridge Soaring Clinic   Maneuvers Clinic   Tow Pilot Clinic   Reserve Parachute Clinic   Instructor Clinic

In this clinic, we will be taking a look at how thermals develop, where they commonly release, how to identify where we are in the thermal and how to make the best use of its lift.
     We'll start to understand thermal generators, thermal triggers, sink, lift, the core, cloudbase, cloudstreets and convergence. We will conduct exercises that will help to train our brains on how to identify the core of a thermal and circle the appropriate way to make the most of this precious lift. We will also review proper thermal etiquette and promote thermalling with your flying buddies to help each other identify where the lift is.
     We will be doing one-on-one thermal coaching during this clinic. We have found that a pilot newly exploring and identifying thermals can quickly grasp and visualize the thermal under radio coaching. Your thermal coach can help identify the thermal and suggest how quickly and which direction to make your circles to stay in it. The pilot isn't overwhelmed by thinking what to do next and is allowed to feel what it's like to core a thermal.
     We recommend that participants have their own variometer at this clinic to better understand how to use this valuable tool for efficient centering of thermal lift.
      Before we go flying to look for the lifting air, we need to discuss what we are looking for, how it will feel, and what to do with it. Topics discussed include: lapse rate and weather concepts, thermal triggers, turbulence management, entering and centering a thermal, flying with traffic, effects of wind on thermals and more.
      Watching the day begin the heating process, we'll time our launch to best utilize the thermal lift for soaring, looking to connect a few of these columns of rising air together! Today, we will be looking at a specific launch site, discussing where the thermal triggers and house thermals are, and guiding you on the radio while you ascend in these sun-drenched parcels of rising air!

Thermal Clinic - $400 2 Days
Enroll Now or get someone a Gift Certificate!

Prerequisites:

• USHGA P2 certification with a minimum of 50 flights.
  
• Ability to perform smooth transitions into flight and landings including side hill launches in differing winds.
  
• Ability to perform spot landings every time.
  
• Appropriate certified equipment including wing, harness, reserve parachute, helmet, radio and speed system.
  
• Strong safety awareness and respect for flying.
  
• Desire to learn and pursue thermal flying.

Other Recommendations

• Vario and GPS

Thermal Sequence of Master Pilot/Advanced Instructor Chad Bastian (click to enlarge). Photo by Patrick Cudahy.