KRONFELD ON GLIDING AND SOARING.pdf - Lakes Gliding Club

LONG DISTANCE SOARING 199
When various stretches of country are feasible, it is
always best to choose the one from which the best general
view can be obtained or the one which possesses the largest
and most continuous range of hills or mountains and the
longest ridge. It is important that the general line of the
range shall lie at an angle of from ninety to forty-five
degrees to the prevailing direction of the most frequent
winds of the district in question. There should also be
several good places for a forced landing in case of need,
as without these a long distance flight is often impossible.
If the land is sharply broken up or possesses no continuous
mountain chains or ranges, it will be necessary to ascertain
the localities where the difficult gaps can best be crossed.
High soaring slopes give us the best chances to cross
valleys and plains and carry on in spite of the down currents
the latter cause if we can contrive to gain enough height
on the former. The conformation of these slopes must be
such as will enable us to fly with the wind partially behind
us all the time. As in the case of flights to a distant goal,
we need not worry about how we can return to the starting
point, so that our entire efforts are concentrated on flying
ahead in one direction. With the wind more or less
behind us, our speed is increased, so that we can push
on swiftly over difficult places and glide a longer distance
from any height we may attain than we could in a
side-wind.
The best way to practise planning out long distance
flights is to endeavour to ascertain the most favourable
lines of flight under varying wind conditions on a largescale
map that gives details of the mountain conformations.
The flyer's eye soon learns to recognize the best courses
and the various conditions that may be expected.
But that alone does not suffice. Only a very experienced
pilot would be able to carry out a long distance flight
correctly by a study of the map alone ; it is therefore
advisable to to get know the whole course with your own
eyes. This involves delightful journeys by motor cycle,
motor-car, or on foot in the mountains, and innumerable
observations. At various spots where special difficulties
may be anticipated, you will do well to light a fire and to