Span, flaps and bugs

What a longer span, camber flaps and a leading edge full of insects do to a glider's polar. Why the LS8's 18 m tips glide further, how flaps are set, and why racing pilots carry bug wipers.

What you learn

• Explain induced drag and why long wings glide further
• Set flaps: positive when circling, negative when fast
• Explain how bugs and rain break up laminar flow
• Enter a bugs setting in the glide computer

In playlists

• Aircraft and systems
• Gliding and soaring

Also on

• Video course: Soaring