RealFlight G3 Manual - Great Planes Software Support

Thermals are rising air currents used by sailplane pilots to enable their aircraft to
gain altitude. The thermals allow the aircraft to stay aloft much, much longer than
would otherwise be possible.
THERMAL PATTERN SPEED RATIO (%)-
This option allows you to adjust the speed with which the pattern of the thermal
traverses the terrain. This is expressed as a percentage of the Global Wind speed
discussed previously.
It is important to note that thermals generally move faster than the wind speeds at the
surface, yet slower than the wind speeds encountered above ground. To allow the
thermal to remain in one location, adjust the Thermal Pattern Speed Ratio (%) to 0%.
A value of approximately 50% represents the typical thermal movement across a
given area.
To modify this option, click on the value found to the right of the Thermal Pattern
Speed Ratio (%). The desired values may be input directly from the keyboard or
modified using the mouse wheel.
THERMAL STRENGTH PROPORTION (%)-
This setting indicates the strength of the thermals at the respective location. If the
Value is set at 0%, you will not encounter any thermal activity. If this value is set to
100%, you will experience the full strength of a thermal.
Click on the value indicated to the right of the Thermal Strength Proportion (%) to
adjust the percentages. The desired values may be input directly from the keyboard
or modified using the mouse wheel.
SINK STRENGTH PROPORTION (%)-
This setting indicates the rate of the sink between thermals. In these regions, the
aircraft will lose altitude during flight due to a lull in the thermal activity.
Click on the value indicated to the right of the Sink Strength Proportion (%) to adjust
the percentages. The desired values may be input directly from the keyboard or
modified using the mouse wheel. Full normal sink strength is represented by a value
of 100%.
CYCLONIC STRENGTH PROPORTION (%)-
This option allows you to adjust the cyclonic strength (rotation) of the thermal
activity. A value of 0% indicates that the thermal will go straight up. As this
percentage increases, however, the helical (rotational) airflow will become more
noticeable.
Click the value indicated to the right of the Cyclonic Strength Proportion (%) to
adjust the percentages. The desired values may be input directly from the keyboard
or modified using the mouse wheel.
CONVECTIVE LAYER HEIGHT-
The convective layer indicates the height at which the thermal stops offering lift to
the aircraft. Prior to this cap, the current begins to diffuse and will therefore slow the
rate of climb of the aircraft within this thermal.
96 • Chapter 6. The Simulation Menu R/C Simulator RealFlight