London Gliding Club
thermals
The atmosphere is constantly cycling, air is rising (lift) and falling (sink) in enormous amounts. As the sun shines on the ground it warms the surrounding air. Eventually this warms enough to form a bubble of hot air that rises. As it rises the air cools, until moisture in it starts to condense. This water vapour marks the bottom of a Cumulus cloud, the top of the cloud is where the rising air ran out of energy.
changable conditions on holiday image 
1 of 3
clouds are constantly cycling - building as air rises, then collapsing as the energy source runs out
Learning to be in the right place at the right time is part of process of becoming a glider pilot.
1 of 3
clouds are constantly cycling - building as air rises, then collapsing as the energy source runs out
Learning to be in the right place at the right time is part of process of becoming a glider pilot.
an excellent sky image 2 of 3
the flat bottoms show that the clouds are still forming, an excellent sign of lift.
2 of 3
the flat bottoms show that the clouds are still forming, an excellent sign of lift.
blue days image 3 of 3
when the air is particularily dry Cumulus may not form.
To find the lift on blue days you need to look for haze
caps, and watch for likely hotspots on the ground
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when the air is particularily dry Cumulus may not form.
To find the lift on blue days you need to look for haze
caps, and watch for likely hotspots on the ground
