I'm high tech now!

[tonycondon]

got me a speed ring, have to take it out to the glider tomorrow and make sure it fits. a friend in MN had an extra ring for a vario like mine. Ill have to write in numbers for my glider. with this and total energy compensation on my vario (already done) i should be able to really fly efficiently! here comes diamond distance!

oh-and this is a great story about cockpit technology
http://www.jimforeman.com/Stories/varios.htm

 

[tonycondon]

yippee and it fits. now i just need to work the numbers, and most importantly the units. got a vario in knots and A/S in mph. i think i can do the conversion though

 

[AdamZ]

How does it work Tony?

 

[t0r0nad0]

Now all you need to do is upgrade your turn coordinator by switching to the ultra-clear tape to hold the piece of yarn on the canopy and you'll have a truly high-tech glider!!

j/k... I love flying without a motor, I need to do more of it.

 

[tonycondon]

How does it work Tony?

basically, in sinking air, it is more efficient to fly faster than best glide speed, so that you get back to the rising air faster. minimize the time spent in sinking air and you minimize the altitude lost. of course there is a trade off, and therefore an optimum speed, as the faster you go, the faster the glider sinks. Paul Macready is generally credited with developing the theory, not quite true, but he did develop the ring. by setting the ring to my average climb rates, the vario needle then indicates the optimal speed to fly between thermals to maximize distance (not time).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speed_to_fly
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polar_curve_(aviation)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gliding#Cross-country

 

[AuntPeggy]

Tony -
Please turn your avatar over. It hurts.

 

[KennyFlys]

Tony -
Please turn your avatar over. It hurts.

Would you rather it be a Super D?

 

[tonycondon]

?????????
Heres the full size version. after a landout in the "perfect" field southwest of Ames. One of my favorite pictures of the glider.

 

[etsisk]

perhaps it looked like an upside-down low winger, dead on it's head, in that little picture!

 

[SkyHog]

Well, the wings are definitely in the right place...