THe sim seems to have this built in. But how does it work? I flew the glider mission - but is that the only place that these exist in FSX? If I set a 20 knot wind, 90 degrees towards a 4000 foot, 20 mile long cliff, I get no ridge lift at all!! How do I swith this on, or is it in 'Missions' only!!That would suck.

Thermals exist in the normal free flight mode, but their placement seems arbitrary. Some places have them, some don't.Ridge and Wave lift are only in missions... :(I'm really hoping some person smarter than me will release some new thermals or scenery with ridge and wave lift. The glider is turning out to be my favorite ascpect of FSX.

HiJust thought I would add to the enthusiasm over the gliding and the missions offered by FSX.Having flown many types of aircraft (all powered) in previous versions of FS, I am truly amazed with the gliding, the thermals, and even the tow-plane.I have only taken the first gliding mission so far and there you are up at 16 000'. Great stuff and well made mission.CheersMike

This is a case of FSX being 'Jack of all trades, but master of none...'If you want far more realistic soaring, get Condor, which has appropriate simulations of the various elements of proper soaring.

>If you want far more realistic soaring, get Condor, which has>appropriate simulations of the various elements of proper>soaring.I second that.http://www.condorsoaring.com

count me in. been flying gliders only for a week now :-lolps. my favourite--the dumb tow plane flying into terrain :-)

Ok folks - downloading now! FSX - best marketing device for Condor so far!!

>Ok folks - downloading now! FSX - best marketing device for>Condor so far!!You won't be disappointed :-)

>>Ok folks - downloading now! FSX - best marketing device>for>>Condor so far!!>>You won't be disappointed :-) I wans't (am not)! Pretty cool stuff. I managed to get some dual in a Grob high performance in California a year ago, and the look and the feel in Conor are pretty authentic. The sim does pause for a half second with a 'men at work' icon popping up. Other than that - no complaints!