Newbie

[Zagi-Extreme]

I'm lost on the thermal thing? How do you find them, what are things to look for? Reading all of these threads, makes me want to go and chase some buzzards!

[Tony Oliver]

The simplest way to find them is to fly upwind at a moderate speed. If the model starts to turn right (left wing lifts) turn left which will suggest the rising air. The opposite action, of course, when the right wing rises. When it's clear to you that the model is rising, turn fairly tightly using a little up elevator to stop the nose dropping. Keep turning - all the time to get centred in the lift. Keep the speed as low as is safe and allow the model to drift downwind with the lift until you're higher and can be sure of returning upwind.
Other ways are to go with the buzzards, as you suggest, or any other soaring birds - gull etc.. Insect eating birds will also indicate rising air - the birds can be seen flying higher as the insects are carried up by the thermal. Other models are also worth following if in obvious lift. If you can arrange for two or three others to fly with you, explore different parts of the sky and go to whoever is in lift.
Avoid flying over water as the lift is minimal most times. Ploughed fields are an early source of lift, woodland a little later.
There are strong thermals over factory roof and concreted areas, but remember that where there is rising air there are usually strong down draughts alongside.
If the birds are lying on their backs with their wings folded and they're still going up, let me know and I'll come and fly.
When you're in a downdraught, go acrosswind as quickly as possible to get out of it. You can tell as your model is flying like a trussed chicken.
If you get in strong lift, make sure your model is strong enough to withstand the stress of getting out. Flying inverted is OK for most, but some form of airbrake spoiler is needed for real security - you'll know what I mean the first time you get a 'boomer'. High speed wing flutter is an unpleasant sound as it's a prelude to the wing disintegrating. See the thread in this 'Thermal' section about 'Bottom Spoilers' for more info. on my approach to this.
Cheers
Tony

[Chipwillis]

How to find thermals. The best way to find thermals is to be a keen observer. Period.

Before launch, check the wind direction all around the field. Sometimes part of the field will be blowing, and another part not. Ive seemed to notice that in a dead wind day, you can tell where strong ones are by the way the wind is blowing... often times being sucked up into the thermal. Look for those little fuzzy things from plants.

Try and figure the cycles of thermal activity. One location may develop a bubble off and on.

Know how to push your plane and fly smoothly. Im working on this art. Been away from active flying for a while, and there will be times where you learn to curse yourself for stalling in a turn- esp in a weak thermal. Knowing your plane and how it reacts gives the confidence to do that "one last circle before setting up to land". I had a flight today with a GP spirit elite arf ( Great Plane for the buck!). I had committed to land and was doing a turn to bleed alittle altitude ( glad I didnt put the flaps down!). About halfway thru the turn the aircraft bubbled up about 2 feet, so I kept turning. I was about 12 feet high. This weak little bubble kept me aloft for 7 or 8 360 turns, all no higher than 15 feet, and no lower than about 10. It wasnt my longest flight of the day, but I must say, after the 4th turn, I was standing there laughing to myself. It was such a blast, and made the day a great one.

Now, how did I do it? Keen observation in my plane- each turn needed the decision to land or keep turning. A simple gain of 6" was enough to keep the turn going. I also realized the wind was dead, which means the thermal is not moving downwind. That combined with knowing how my plane flies, and how much ground it can cover at a given speed, vs. altitude loss.... gave me the confidence to keep going.

I have been in a few good thermals in the past month, but havent specked yet. But, I am getting more comfortable in riding one downwind. Further each time.... And I always make it back with height to spare. So, more of it is knowing the aircraft, and your personal limits.

The thermals are easy to find when you get up. You just have to watch very closly every bobble of the airplane.

The buzzard thing works well too... watch them drift downwind with thermals as they gain altititude. If they bring their wings in a few inches- bug out! That is what they are doing.

Have fun. Sometimes a sucessful flight for me is one where I could get one more turn. Might be only 4 minutes, or on one of those boomer days, might be 40 mins. The days when you come off the high start or winch, and the chute doesnt want to come down- those are the easy days. The better days are where you fly out, find nothing, turn and search another area, find nothing, start heading back and thing about landing, and see a little bubble, and turn, and turn, and turn, and climb out.... those are the days which keep me coming back. Those are when its most fun.

Sorry for rambling... just one of those days!

Chip

[racerp51]

Since your handle is "Zagi-Extreme" I assume you fly Zagi's! I just got back into the hobby after a 15 year layoff. The first plane I built was a Zagi 400X. I flew gliders in the past so I was impressed with the gliding capabilities of the Zagi. I don't go full bore with a big motor like most of the Zagi pilots. I like to head upwind and find lift. Only thing is, don't try sharp turns at low speeds, flying wings like to enter a spin.

[rocketman47]

I have always found the best thermals between me and the sun! Or, right over the winch line. Or, over my buddy's head. He's always letting out a lot of hot air....

Randy

[KevinW]

I think Chip has hit it on the head. Watch your plane, it will tell you more about the air than anything. Also, be the keen observer of what's around you. I rarely see the insect eating birds fly around here, but it's happened. Buzzards, well, they are everywhere. Catch 'em if you can! Anything, and I mean anything, from trash to seeds to your buddies cigarette smoke can show the way to lift.

As for thermals and where they form, all the posts above state it well...although I have flown out over the water to catch a BOOMER thermal that the gulls were in. Funny thing about that day, that was the only place the thermals formed...out over the water. Strange.

As for thermalling a Zagi, I have done it out in Colorado and had a BLAST doing it. Just keep your speed up. I learned that the hard way. When it starts to wiggle side to side, push the nose down and get some airspeed.

Then you can always get the Old Buzzard's book. I can't say enough about it! I have read it so much I think I have it memorized! What you read in it, you'll find is very true in the real world.

BTW, how do you like the Spirit Elite? Got any pics?

Hope all this helps.....Thermals.