N659HB
En-Route
Sailplane pilots: how does one maintain a VFR cruising altitude when flying from one thermal to another?
You don't.Sailplane pilots: how does one maintain a VFR cruising altitude when flying from one thermal to another?
The VFR cruising altitude rule only applies to aircraft not turning or climbing/descending while above 3000' agl, which rules out sailplanes 99% of the time.
Since when does turning obviate a proper cruising altitude above 3000? It may change based on the new track but it still applies. Sailplanes aren't ever required to maintain a cruise altitude, not even 1% of the time since they aren't powered.The VFR cruising altitude rule only applies to aircraft not turning or climbing/descending while above 3000' agl, which rules out sailplanes 99% of the time.
Did you read his link to 91.159?Since when does turning obviate a proper cruising altitude above 3000? It may change based on the new track but it still applies. Sailplanes aren't ever required to maintain a cruise altitude, not even 1% of the time since they aren't powered.
I stand corrected. Since gliders are never in level cruising flight, they are not subject to maintaining an altitude.Did you read his link to 91.159?
I stand corrected. Since gliders are never in level cruising flight, they are not subject to maintaining an altitude.
I stand corrected. Since gliders are never in level cruising flight, they are not subject to maintaining an altitude.
Well, we could be in level cruise in ridge lift (below 3000 AGL ) or wave (trying to stay below our max block altitude assigned). But we are at the whim of nature/weather to cruise or climb, so in most cases, it is beyound our control.
To answer the original OP, between thermal cruise, we are most likely descending while in search of that next thermal lift element.