Ok, here we go. Sim Update 11 is released, and glider stuff is now in officially. So let’s take a look.
I flew for a few hours and tested a few things, and so far I really like it. Here’s a list of random thoughts for now:
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I love that there are different winch models, that the winch stays on the ground for a while after launch, and that there is really someone holding the wing. So immersive!
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I managed to take off only once with the tow plane, it keeps stopping on the runway. Not sure why.
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the winch auto release comes a tad early I think. But it is OK.
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I’d like to see adjustable cable lengths, but the default is fine I guess.
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I haven’t figured out how to control the tow plane yet
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I like the official thermals visualization. I flew parts of my flight using it to see where the sim spawns thermals, and it really is a great tool.
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maybe I am too good…
(jk, I am a terrible glider pilot 
) The thermals generated by some terrain features seem to be pretty strong. -
I haven’t really tried the thermals below cumulus clouds yet, my test flights were in the alps where you have plenty of ridge lift all the time.
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my old mod gliders (LS4, DG808 and Discus2b) don’t work with SU11 yet, as they are apparently missing a ‘glider’ flag that would allow the winch launch.
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I prefer the LS8. I am sure that the DG1001 is great as well, it just has a kinda ugly cockpit IMO.
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I cannot complain about how the gliders fly. They behave like gliders should as far as I can tell from the flying I did in them so far.
Edit: Minor nitpick: I think the yaw should be a tad more sluggish, and the adverse yaw effect should be a bit more pronounced, but I haven’t flown those planes in real life so I cannot really tell. -
the modeling, textures, and sounds on the gliders are well done. The systems modeling is nothing to write home about, but decent.
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EDIT: the yaw string could move a bit more realistically. But that’s a minor thing.
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I think I have seen waves over the Alps, which would be AWESOME. Cannot confirm yet though.
With a bit of a wind in the settings I reached 4000m though, might have to go a bit higher to really see if waves exist or not. -
next up: try flying near and into clouds.