Which statement about total energy compensators is true?

Which statement about total energy compensators is true?

• A. The instrument responds to wind speed
• B. The instrument responds only to up and down air currents
• C. It responds to temperature changes
• D. It responds to air density changes

Answer: (B)

A total energy compensator is designed to reflect changes in the aircraft’s total energy (kinetic plus potential) that come from vertical air movement. In practice, this means it responds to updrafts and downdrafts—the up and down air currents—that change the glider’s energy state relative to the surrounding air. Horizontal wind, temperature changes, or shifts in air density don’t drive this energy change signal in the same way, so the device is not intended to respond to those factors. By focusing on how vertical motion alters the aircraft’s energy, the instrument provides a signal tied to ascents and descents rather than to wind speed or environmental conditions.

A total energy compensator is designed to reflect changes in the aircraft’s total energy (kinetic plus potential) that come from vertical air movement. In practice, this means it responds to updrafts and downdrafts—the up and down air currents—that change the glider’s energy state relative to the surrounding air. Horizontal wind, temperature changes, or shifts in air density don’t drive this energy change signal in the same way, so the device is not intended to respond to those factors. By focusing on how vertical motion alters the aircraft’s energy, the instrument provides a signal tied to ascents and descents rather than to wind speed or environmental conditions.