Theory

Published Writing

Bounded Rationality and Risk Management in Thermal Soaring – Under Review at Technical Soaring (OSTIV)

This collaborative work explored how to manage sporting risk in thermal soaring. John Bird, a PhD candidate in Aeronautical Engineering and I statistically modelled the atmosphere. We calculated how much risk a pilot can accept over a long period, such as a competition and avoid landing out. We devised a cognitive model that allows the pilot to manage risk in the cockpit.

Modeling Gear Shifting– Soaring Magazine | April 2019

Soaring is Risky Business!– Soaring Magazine | March 2019

These two articles directed the risk management work at a broader soaring audience. It is less technical than the main paper and builds more on the points that are more actionable to most pilots.

Learning to Quit While You’re Ahead– Variometer Newletter | January 2018

This work assessed the psychology of racing. When you’re near other gliders, it can be difficult to regulate your emotions. If you’re lower than them, it is painful to accept that you are at an energy disadvantage. If things are going well, it can be hard to “shift down” and slow down to capitalize on your gains. This work discusses how energy and incentives change in the company of others.

You’ve Landed out… Now What? – Soaring Magazine | July 2014

You take a deep breath and the dust settles; you’ve made a safe landing in a field! But what happens now? Early in my soaring career, I realized that I had spent a lot of time thinking about the flying part of off field landings and not so much the retrieve. There’s a lot to retrieves and you should prepare for them.

New Posts (05/19 –> Present)

Old Posts (Pre-2019)