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Circuits

Circuits are flown to promote th orderly flow of traffic, judge changing conditions, get the aircraft in the "landing configuration", mentally adjust the pilot for landing, allow time to minimize stress.

The downwind leg begins at 800-1000 feet approximately 45 degrees upwind from the point where the glider will come to rest. At this time a downwind check SWAFTS - STRAPS; WHEEL and WATER, APPROACH AIRSPEED; FLAPS; TRAFFIC; SPOILERS should be done. The aircraft should be trimmed to the appropriate approach speed. There are various formulae to calculate this.

Approach Speed = 1.3Vstall + Vwind (Transport Canada’s guideline) or,

Approach Speed = 1.5Vstall + .33Vwind (A gliding alternative)

It is wise to try and judge the crosswind drift on this leg. The aiming Point is the area where you want to round out the aircraft and you should be opposite this point at approximately 600 feet on the downwind leg.

As the round out/aiming point passes horizontally at a 45 degree angle over your shoulder you should be turning on to your base leg. Crabbing may be necessary to compensate for a crosswind on this leg. Medium bank turns should be used. No shallow turns! The medium bank turn will effectively alter the course in most crosswind conditions. Shallow turns may not accomplish this and can lead to the tendency to use yaw to ‘help’ the turn. This is can lead to stalls or spins.

Once on final, the aircraft approach speed should be checked. At this stage you should be 300-400 feet AGL. Use spoilers/side slip to maintain the glideslope to the Aiming Point and Crab/Side Slip for drift control.Once on final, the aircraft approach speed should be checked. At this stage you should be 300-400 feet AGL. Use spoilers/side slip to maintain the glideslope to the Aiming Point and Crab/Side Slip for drift control. The outline for this exercise is:

  1. Student enters circuit at the Initial Point. Should be able to judge the entry point based upon the wind direction, and the final point the glider will roll up to and stop at.
  2. Student checked in performance of downwind/pre-landing checks.
  3. Student checked in judgement of height and position and the effect of wind drift.
  4. Student checked on proper lookout and accuracy of turn from downwind to base.
  5. Student checked on proper glideslope adjustment with spoilers.
  6. Student checked on proper lookout and accuracy of turn from base to final.