Soaring logo

Soaring Server

BGA Task Planning Speeds for Cross-Country Flights in Thermal Conditions

[About the SSA] [Articles etc] [Communications] [Contests, Records, Badges] [Member Information] [Aviation Organizations] [Other Soaring Info] [Soaring Images] [Other Soaring Links] [Other Aviation Info] [Search Soaring Website]

Courtesy of Ian Strachan

The data on cross-country speeds and glider performance in Annexes A and B has been approved by the BGA Handicapping Sub-Committee. The tables that follow in Annex C are derived from this data, and give cross-country speeds in different winds.

The speed data is derived from tangents to realistic glider performance curves. Speeds from the tangent construction assume `climb and glide' flight elements and an unlimited supply of thermals of the specified strength. Extended straight glides through rising air (`dolphining') are not covered by this method of calculation.

CONTENTS:

Annex A: Cross-Country Speed Graphs for nil wind, for gliders of BGA Speed Index 80-130%, and rates of climb from 1 to 6 knots

Annex B: BGA Speed Indexes, numerical and alphabetical

Annex C: Cross-country groundspeed tables for winds between 0 and 30 kts in 5 kt increments, for gliders of BGA Speed Index 80-130%, and rates of climb from 1 to 6 knots

Annex D: Proforma for calculating task distances.

Annex E: Meteorological Proforma.

Return to the Index of BGA Materials?

Last updated by John Leibacher on Friday, September 8, 1995 at 20:57

Dr. Günther Eichhorn
Springer 233 Spring Street New York, NY 10013 USA, email me