Flying Your First Cross-Country

It’s really great that you’re starting to think about ‘stretching your legs’ across country, it’s an exciting and sometimes daunting time because the ‘What if I don’t make it back?’ thoughts start creeping into our head.  I found this especially true, until the day I did my first solo off-field landing into a paddock, I then realized, it’s not as scary or daunting as I first thought, it’s actually kind of fun, an adventure.  I digress, what I wanted to say was, it’s not easy for a new pilot to set a task that allows them to fly the maximum distance possible for the day, but still allow a safe and timely return to the home airfield at the same time.  Naturally, if you get the task wrong or continue on task without a plan, with the collapse of the thermal activity at the end of the day, it may or may not, force you into an off-field landing situation...

XC Preflight Planning

You’ve just planned your first 300 or 500km flight, it’s a long way as we all know.  You’ve done your pre-flight weather and task planning using SkySight, you’ve spoken to fellow pilots regarding their best local advice.   The pilot should also aim to add some time stamps or checkpoints along the route, basically establishing a decision point, can I continue from here?  You can see where this is leading I’m sure, it’s ensuring that you have a realistic chance to make it home for the day...

Estimate Speeds

So what do we need to consider to make your day plan work?  With your task planning above and speaking to a fellow XC pilot, you need to determine realistic estimates of average speeds that can be achieved from each point, this is based on the conditions expected, wind, climb strengths, and time of the day.  Finally, when do you expect the thermic conditions to end for the day?

Okay to Abandon the Task

Don’t feel dismayed that you had to abandon though, you have achieved a lot for the day already and you still have lots to gain on the way home, use the opportunity to learn even more.  Some simple ideas are to practice: a real final glide home, try to see if you can beat your planned time to be home, perhaps when  you get home – see how long you can stay up to practice your really weak thermal skills for an endurance day in the future, etc

Extend those legs,  but make good decisions along the way, take your time, gliding across country is a wonderful journey! 

Banner photo by John Absolon, 'Got that shot' Images

 Adam Woolley was born into the gliding world, being the 3rd generation in his family. Going solo at 15, his thirst for efficiency in soaring flight & quest for a world championship title to his name has never wavered. One big passion is sharing his experiences & joy with other glider pilots all around the world. Adam is an airline pilot in Japan on the B767 & spends his off time chasing summer around the globe. He has now won 7 national Championships & represented Australia at 5 WGC's & 1 EGC.