I've never done gliding/soaring, nor have I done SAM flying, which is essentially the same thing but with powered old-time aircraft... climb and glide sort of stuff. I've seen the effects of thermals on the SAM aircraft, and with one of our members that is a prominent glider pilot (world known, in fact). I've seen these guys up there for what seems forever. And, they are way up there, too.

I've not seen birds "harassing" them but I can see that happening, especially at our field, which is somewhat in the boonies (we call it the piney's).... yeah, NJ is not all bricks and roads.. and I imagine that, especially with the SAM guys, there are stories about them dodging birds while flying.

SAM = Society of Antique Modelers http://www.antiquemodeler.org/

CGr.