VFR approaches in a glider:
1) approach stability most difficult - trying to monitor airspeed at the same time as lookout for conflicting traffic in the air and movements on the ground which might affect landing (gliders often land at aerodromes where there is not just a defined runway but a larger area shared by many gliders for landing).
2) Which specific tasks during approach and landing do you find most difficult to combine? Lookout and airspeed monitoring.
3) Rank the following general tasks from high workload to low workload: 1. Scanning and monitoring task, 2. Manual control task, 3. Flight management task, 4 Air Traffic Control task (rarely applies to gliding - have not found it a problem when going into aerodromes with ATC).
4) Which external factors (e.g. bad weather, disagreements with other crew members) do you find the most influencing on the general pilot workload? Other gliders sharing the same thermal, and other ground movements when approaching to land.
5) Any other comments.
Glider pilots' workload perceptions change with experience and circumstances, much as a car driver experiences. When first solo, manipulating the controls takes conscious thought, like operating the clutch and gears correctly in a car. After about 100 hours (typically - but varies of course) the control manipulations becomes more automatic, like a driver no longer has to think what to do to change gear. Finding a thermal, getting to its centre, and staying there, still require a great deal of attention.
After about 1000 hours (again, varying from one to another), thermalling becomes more automatic too.
Extra information;
I am primarily an amateur glider pilot, with about 1500 hours. I also gained a PPL for powered aircraft, but no longer use it.
Good luck with your research project - any chance of telling us the outcome, or making it available to interested people when you have finished it?
Chris N.
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