More Tips on Thermaling

Too many pilots, intending to be 'conservative', fly passively and too slow.   Conservative means conserving energy.   Therefore, when you are low, in more dynamic air near the ground, true conservatism demands a precise but aggressive porpoising technique.However perplexed you may feel in the sometimes desperate hunt for lift, obey one cardinal rule:  if you‟re losing height, don't continue to circle!   Nothing is more pointless than accepting the extra sink rate (and course reversal) of a turn just to stay where there is no lift.   If you have no lift and no idea where to find some, go straight in whatever direction seems a reasonable guess.   This will at least maximize the distaance through which you can sample the air in the endless quest for better opportunities.