Chapter
Competitive Gliding
1:44:21 - 1:49:36 (05:15)
Competitive gliding involves racing against the sun for a period of about three to four hours, covering up to five hundred kilometers and deciding when to turn through imaginary cylinders such as turn points. Pilots use sailplanes made of carbon fiber and fiberglass composites to fly within a couple of minutes of the minimum time on course and not obliterate average speed.
Clips
Competitive gliding involves racing large, carbon fiber sail planes in a race against the sun, with pilots searching for thermals and other atmospheric cues to gain energy and speed.
1:44:21 - 1:47:18 (02:56)
Summary
Competitive gliding involves racing large, carbon fiber sail planes in a race against the sun, with pilots searching for thermals and other atmospheric cues to gain energy and speed. The goal is to time one's flight to cover as much distance as possible within a minimum time frame and arrive back at the starting point without going over or under the given time limit.
ChapterCompetitive Gliding
Episode#173: Lessons from Geniuses, Billionaires, and Tinkerers
PodcastThe Tim Ferriss Show
Glider racing pilots need to manage their physiology for hours during a race, as they are pulling 1.2 to 1.75 G-forces for 30 minutes or more, while being dehydrated, exposed to the sun, and constantly changing altitude.
1:47:18 - 1:49:36 (02:18)
Summary
Glider racing pilots need to manage their physiology for hours during a race, as they are pulling 1.2 to 1.75 G-forces for 30 minutes or more, while being dehydrated, exposed to the sun, and constantly changing altitude. The difference between first and second place is often only one or two minutes, making efficiency and strategic decision making crucial.