Quote:
When did a glider pilot last call the Plod to get permission to land? They often, so I'm told, land without even asking the landowner first! That's wrong, of course; simple courtesy dictates that they should call first (with a loudhailer) and climb away if refused.
In a glider?
Well,
Ronnie, I can see that you are doubtful. How it works is, once you've restowed the loudhailer in its proper stowage location in the glider, and then checked carefully above and behind, you have to generate a very large amount of wind, while flying in a tight circle. As you do this, and you will of course have been using the appropriate diet for several days in case of need, you will hear and/or see your various varios indicating that you have started to gain height, due to the fact that you have created your own thermal. From then on, it's plain sailing. You maintain the climb in your own thermal, while of course continuing to supply its source, until you have sufficient height to find reach another field.
Once there, you recommence the whole process of using the loud hailer to request landing permission. The inevitable loss of height as your respondent goes indoors to ask his boss what to say is why you have to use the Self-Generated Thermal procedure to regain height in the event of a refusal, fly to another field, and so ad infinitum or until it gets dark (whichever comes first) when you can land without anyone seeing you.
Does that clear it up?