GLIDER FEEDBACK

Author: Nick Wisser
Subject: Glider feedback

Aside from the instability of a DHV-2/3 glider, beginners can become overwhelmed by the
amount of feedback that a high-performance glider delivers. Information returned to the pilot
through the brake lines and harness can be a life saver for someone with experience, but for
people like Mike M's student it can scare them right out of the air. I provide below an example of the kind of conversation a canopy can have with its pilot during a typical thermal flight.

DHV-1/2 glider
Beginner pilot
Glider speaks with the voice of John Cleese

Canopy up and over, your launch is complete. And if I may say so, a perfect launch madam,
brilliantly executed.. ..Yes, madam, as you say, straight ahead. Beautiful day isn't it? ...Left turn? Yes, an EXCELLENT choice... a bit of a bump there, however, please use caution.... ...Another bump...may I suggest...very well madam. ...Excuse me madam, but we've encountered lift. I cannot tell which side the thermal resides, but if you turn in either direction you will find it soon...very well, madam, left again... ...Sorry to disturb you again madam, but there is a slight loss of canopy pressure on the right side, that will result in a minor collapse in ...90 seconds. Shall I...very well. Outstanding correction madam, you've been working out I believe. ...Time to land? Thank you madam, a prudent choice. If you would prefer I can make reservations ahead and have cocktails waiting. Very well madam. Slowly...slowly...done! A perfect landing, madam. Have you lost weight?

DHV-2/3 glider
Beginner pilot
Glider speaks with the voice of Joe Pesci

Canopy up and over, HEY CHECK THE OVERSHOOT, PAL! Who taught YOU to fly? Hey! Hey! Heyheyhey HEY! Leftbrake leftbrake rightbrake hey! Hey hey Whoa, LOOKOUT! ...Hey hey WE GOT LIFT! The core's over to the left.no, idiot, your OTHER left! Wow, BIG surge. Yah, that's me out front, whatta YOU lookin' at? You lookin' at ME? Hey! Hey! We hit lift again. Hey, BACK HERE, pal, I'm behind you. Nice butt, you been workin' out? Careful Mack, we're comin' out the front---WAH MAN! Copilot ta pilot, we got half the freakin' wing down, whattya gonna -- Oh, YEAH? YA WANNA PIECE A ME? I GOT YA NEGATIVE SPIN RIGHT 'ERE.. Hands up, huh, another freakin' chicken-s%&t. I think you've had enough chum, time ta land. Careful, we're comin' in hot, comin', watch the. TOO MUCH BRAKE BUTT-HOLE, we're goin' up again! Aint nobody told you about
ENERGY RETENTION? Great, now we're gonna overshoot. Don't put me in the bush, don't
put me in the. OH THAT'S JUST FINE, you MORON, I'm in the bushes!

DHV-2/3 glider
Advanced pilot
Glider speaks with the voice of James Earl Jones

Canopy up and over, launch complete. Proceding one-niner kilometers per hour, heading
straight ahead. left brake-OK, left-OK, ok ok ok ok. Right turn initation complete, trimming,
bank angle nominal. Ok ok. .Lift encountered, instrument reading four-zero-zero feet per
minute. Core to left, turn initiation to left complete, bank angle flat. Instrument reading now
niner-zero-zero feet per minute. Left bump--OK, left-bump---OK. Exiting thermal, leftmost
seven cells read zero-point-zero-two PSI decompression, correction complete, on course. Altitude sufficient for crossing to next peak with eight point zero glide average. Transition initated, two-zero kilometers to next turn point. Landing spot approaching, trim speed, boots two feet AGL, brakes applied for speed-to-altitude transition, maintaining altitude at two feet agl, airspeed now near stall, touchdown complete at three kilometers per hour. Well done captain.