Gaggle Flying - Safety corner 30 Sep 20

Thermalling with other gliders in a gaggle is a huge challenge requiring maximum and constant situational awareness. Anything that causes a distraction, such as photography, computer adjustment, unwrapping a sandwich, trying to get something out of your pants pocket, radio frequency adjustment, reading a map, must be avoided. If you wouldn't do it 200' above the ground, why would you do it at 200' (or closer) to another moving glider (or two, or three), as you are in a gaggle? 

From our Chief Instructor: NEVER assume the other gliders see you entering a gaggle, thermalling or exiting. Have an entrance plan; thermal in the gaggle, but keep looking for other gliders above, below, coming in, leaving, and have an exit plan. Don't go charging into the middle of the thermal where other gliders are flying. Don't cut across the thermal on exit. Remember that the gaggle attracts other gliders, and they will be above, below and behind you. 

From our Chief Pilot: In a gaggle, if you are not scared, you are not paying attention. Courtesy dictates that you enter and leave the thermal from the outside of the circle (think of a bicycle chain going around a sprocket). Try to maneuver so that you can see the other pilots' face (and they see yours). It's rude and selfish to hang on another glider's tail. But if you must do it, use the radio to tell the other pilot (who will be frantically looking for you) that you have him in sight. Don't get transfixed on the glider you see. Worry about the one(s) you don't see. Don't make the gaggle a race to out-climb the other glider. This isn't supposed to be a contact sport!