An experienced intermediate pilot flying an EN D two-liner glider in mid-day conditions early in August east of Monroe Mountain, experienced loss of control in violent lee-side turbulence and saved the situation by throwing the reserve.
Potentially two categories apply here; 1 Flight outside of conservative equipment parameters and 2 Flight in known/knowable turbulence.
Moving up to a higher performance glider is a difficult decision to make. The conservative advice recommends an annual hours of flight requirement, SIV on an advanced glider and completely dominating a glider of the class below in the most difficult conditions you will ever fly in.
Some pilot never fly in the lee others do it under certain weather conditions and with complete confidence in their ability to handle their glider in turbulence and their ability to deploy their reserve.
This pilot is to be commended for throwing the reserve when control was lost below 500 feet. A potentially life-saving decision.
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