Gliding in NZ

[ardypilot]

After seeings Smithcorp's gliding screenshots, I really feel like having a go at the whole gliding experience in FS2004.

Ive had a read though the FS9 Learning Centre Schweizer Sailplane flight page- but couldn't find any lessons, or 'Flights' in the Select a Flight menu that are mentioned:

You'll find ridge lift in the Munich, San Francisco, and Seattle scenery areas, where air is forced upward near mountains. You'll also find thermals"â€￾warm, rising air"â€￾near the San Francisco coast and near Lake Chelan on the opposite side of the Cascade Mountains (east side) from Seattle. Choose from several soaring Flights designed for the sailplane in the Select Flight dialog box (choose Select Flight on the Flights menu).

Anyhow, I went about downloading some thermal scenery for NZ, first I tried 'nzealand.zip' from AVsim, which added huge big ugly FPS hugging clouds everywhere to represent thermals- and even when attempting to glide with them, I couldn't get any lift.

Now I have got 'FS2002/2004 New Zealand 1 Soaring Scenery' from: http://www.fsimcafe.com/Downloads/ShowD ... uctID=1330 and I have installed it along with 'Sailtow4.ZIP' (from Flightsim.com) but can't figure out how to get lift.

Could anyone give me and tips/pointers about thermal flying?

Cheers,
Trolly

[Charl]

I think Francisco modelled clouds over his thermals, much like RL.
So you go cruising along until you think there's a cloud overhead, watch the VSI, and when you start going up, get in a tight spiral and ride the elevator.
When you get bored with that, hold your nose and launch, looking out for the next one.
Always know where you're going to land from your present position, in case that thermal doesn't quite fit your flight path.

FS9 doesn't do gliding well, you really need the towrope experience and the decision to cut loose to make it feel real.
However there are some workarounds which you will find after a little research (my links are long gone).
Amongst them is the ability to simulate winch launches.
Look in the Swiss FS sites.

[Zöltuger]

or maybe invest in FSX the soaring tutorial is really good.

[Christian]

There is a program called CCS (cross-country soaring) which gives you ridge lift over NZ. I think it may even do thermals, I can whole heartedly recommend it.

Christian

[Jimmy]

There was a article in Febuary 2006 computer pilot magazine all about gliding and the differant sites to go to to find gliding stuff, even stuff to simulate two ropes I think, here are the links:

US soaring team
Virtual soaring society
Wolfgang pipers Glid Collection
Cross country 2004
www.fswever.com (avionics)

There is also this file name mentioned: ABLWINCH14.zip, It doesn't say were to get it thow so just have a look around, it says itll tow you into the sky....

Aparently according to the article some of Wolfgang's Gliders simulate a winch so give them a try.

I'm not sure about the fs9 flights but you can go here download SoaringChallenge.zip

Hope this helps, enjoy the gliding!
James