Airbrakes, approach and the wind gradient

A glider has no second try. Airbrakes set the glide path to an aiming point, the wind gradient takes airspeed away near the ground, and the approach speed carries margins for wind and gusts.

What you learn

• Fly the glide path with the airbrakes, the speed with the stick
• Read the aiming point: sinking is overshoot, rising undershoot
• Explain why the airspeed drops in the wind gradient
• Work out the approach speed: manual + ½ wind + ½ gusts
• Run the checks before final: ballast, wheel, speed, stable

In playlists

• Take-off, circuit and landing
• Gliding and soaring

Also on

• Video course: Soaring