I do, ridge- and wavelift MUST be included, mayby in multiplayer the possibility to tow a friend in the air 

I would think it would be better for someone to develop a glider-dedicated program rather than modify the existing sim(s) to include such a massive undertaking.  If you really think about it, having thermals as a regular and constant system would take up much more space on the computer as well as processor time, which would be wasted by anyone using a powered aircraft.  It would certainly add to the realism aspect, but at a tremendous cost as opposed to the gain.

Travis wrote on Feb 14^th, 2011 at 4:14am:
Thermals don't only have an affect on gliders, a 747's approach is affected by them too. It would be beneficial to all pilots but I agree, if it would take up to much power, it wouldn't be worth it for the majority. Still, an option to turn it on or off would make it perfect for everyone

Travis, I both agree and disagree with your point of view.

I don't think we should sit back and hope that a third party developer will provide us with the facilities we want, rather than petition the Flight team, as I  have by eMail through the Flight web site.

If you want a feature for what ever aspect of the sim you enjoy, you step up and ask for it!  If you don't ask you don't get.

Besides, thermal activity is already a feature of MSFS, we are only asking for refinements.

Now having said that, thermal activity is complex and requires knowledge of the physics of convection to be able to simulate accurately.

If MS don't have the resources for the research, then you are quite right in what you say.  Do it well MS, or please leave it to those who can.

A also agree with your point of view about 'upsetting' power flying, especially in the training stage for light general aviation, and so thermal generation should be an on/off setting in the weather functionality.

Glider pilots, please also ask MS to feature 'lee-wave' lift, which has already been shown by the developer of CumulusX to be capable of being modelled.

Oh, and other one.  Wind gradient as we approach to land.  Power pilots must want to see this too?  Those with RW experience must have been caught out by falling airspeed near the ground; on goes the power or in go the airbrakes to maintain airspeed and stretch finals.

We need it to be as real as it gets.  Please email the developers and ask for what you want:

msflight@microsoft.com

littlebenny, I 'spect they do read the forums. Thing is, the Flight developers are actually asking for suggestions.  Now I been around long enough to know asking is one thing, intentions to do anything about what's being asked for is another.

Getting user input is all part of the software development life cycle and a developer that doesn't or worse, ignores it, is likely to disappoint.

Like the man at top of the tread list says, step up and speak up!

GD.

PS 70% of what? 

Ah, now I take your point, and it's a good one.  The '70%' value -  now I understand that one too!

As a glider I've never relied on msfs for gliding. Good visuals at times.

I prefer to use sots gold for gliding.

regards

Steve

Yes....  gliders have been somewhat neglected in MSFS over the years.
This a shame as gliding is an important part of aviation.
Skill alone will keep you airborn and allow you to make it back to the airport.
It's flight at its basic and most elegant form.

In fact it, was largely the pilot's gliding experience that enabled him to safely land that Airbus in the Hudson river.