Now let's have a look at how air flows over a hill.

As a 3 knot wind flows over a hill, it glues itself to the surface.

As a 40 knot wind flows over a hill, it wants to depart the surface at the crest of the hill.

Which in turn produces this effect:

To duplicate what the albatross is doing, the glider needs to transit between the two air masses and harness the kinetic disparity.

The difference here of course is that the albatross is experiencing a smooth transition; a gradual increase in wind speed as it ascends. The dynamically soaring glider passes through a turbulent boundary layer twice on each loop or tilted circle. The passage through the boundary layer acts like the take-off catapult on an aircraft carrier. Each time the layer is penetrated, the aircraft's speed surges. Every circuit is faster than the previous.

What kind of speeds are we talking about here? During recent speed trials in the US, gliders were exceeding 300 m.p.h. and these days it's becoming quite common for DS gliders to be timed at well over 200 m.p.h.

Are these the upper speed limits? Far from it. Scientists have developed a formula that represents all the various dynamics and describes the interplay between them. The math tells us that if two adjacent air masses have a speed discrepancy of 30 knots, the upper speed limit is 375 m.p.h. If the speed discrepancy between the two air masses is 60 knots, the upper speed limit changes to 540 m.p.h.

No-one on this planet yet understands how to design and build a hand-launched model glider that is aerodynamically stable and predictably controllable at 500 m.p.h.

And then there's the G-forces. A gas-powered model pylon racer pulls 32 G during a turn and it's only flying at 130 m.p.h. The DS gliders flying at the moment are pulling more like 50 G in their sharper turns. But at 500 mph, we're looking at 90 G manoeuvres. Count the number of model aircraft electronic component manufacturers who stress-test their products at 90 G. Count them again.

Rocket science? Sure is.

In all its various configurations, the Saturn 5 moon rocket never pulled more than 20 G.

What kind of pilots are naturally attracted to the sport of dynamic soaring? Speed junkies. If you love screaming around the sky at the speed of light, this is for you. You'll be flying an aircraft that is faster than any full-size glider, faster than any normal model glider, faster than any other type of model aircraft including turbine-powered jets.

Is there a down-side? Absolutely. Dynamic soaring eats model aircraft and it has a voracious appetite. When you crash into the lee of a hill travelling at 300 mph and pulling 50 G, there's nothing left. Nothing.

If you want to return home after your flying session with an intact glider, pack two into your vehicle before you depart from home in the morning. When you arrive at the flying site, leave one in the car.