Fundamentals: The five senses of thermalling

Gaining height by using thermal lift is, in my opinion, the most magical part of our activity. Some pilots are so good at it they look like they have a sixth sense. It can look surreal, and new pilots might ask, “But how do you do that?” We reply: “We use thermals, with all our senses on alert.” Let me explain.

Smell

Thermals have a smell, and your nose can save you from a low point. Who has never grimaced in lift that smelled of cow dung or worse, slurry? Who has never marvelled at finding the scent of hay and cut grass several hundred metres above the ground? For me, smell is a highly developed...