Volume 16 No 1 Feb 1965.pdf - Lakes Gliding Club

ing those that confl'ict with the visualsensations experienced. Tbe key to suec;cssfulcloud-flying lies in makiog ourvisual interpretations of the turn-andslipreadings so familiar that the brainaccepts them unconditionally. Theanswer is simply to practise reading theturn-and-slip, although this need notnecessarily be in eloud. providing somesort of eye shade is used. ~anoeuvresshould be performed gently at first, graduallyincreasing their severity as onegains confidence. Practice while thermallingis also very useful.It is important that there should bea clear-cut decision to enter cloud longbefore cloud base is reached. The last500 ft. before reaching, cloud base shouldbe flown on the turn-and-slip', makingno outside visual references. Nothingwill make the attempts of the novice atcloud-flying more doomed to certainfailure than if he is suddenly confrontedwith having to interpret the unco-operativeneedles of the ~urn-and-slip in anunprepared state of mind. Confidencein one's own ability is half Of the battle.Ifone enters cloud in full control, flyingon instruments alone, one is much morelikely to retain control. Every effort mustbe made to ignore any sensations ofmotion that conflict with the indicationsof the instruments. Remember, the morerapidly one changes direction, thestronger will be the false sensations fromthe inner ear. and the more difficult itwill be for the brain to ~je.ct them infavour of visual impressions @f the instruments.If concentration is relaxedfor as little as a couple of seconds duringthe first few attempts, the semi-circularcanals will take control with disastrousresults.If control is lost. or if there is theslightest feeling of nausea. airbrakesshould be opened and the quickest possibleexit made from the cloud. A.nyattempt to fight the slightest feeling ofbeing unwell is likely to be detrimentalto later attempts at blind flying. Remember,"he who fights and runs away. livesto fight another day". I cannot guaranteethat, if the few crumbs of wisdom givenhere are faithfully digested, pot.entialpundits will automatically become immuneto falling out of clouds. I do,bowever, guarantee ,tbat they will stay in,command of the situation a little longerbefore falling out.48COVENTRYGLIDING CLUBinvites you to participate in theirREGIONAL CONTESTJuly 10th-18thatHUSBANDS BOSWORTHtheir Dew home in LeicestershireLaunch by AerotowGood soaring conditionsTasks in all dir'ectionsEasy road accessEntry Fee ~25inclusive of aerotowApplication fOTm from:M. S. HUNT. 17 ANCHORWAY ROAD.GREEN LANE. COVENTRYand welcomes all visitors onJuly 10th, the opening day oftheir new site.