What is in the back of your sailplane?

I always recommend people carry a land-out kit to expect the worst. I think I was the only pilot at the UK Open Class Nationals with one, they told me you could walk to the nearest pub.

Some of you may have read about Dale Kramer's accident on a record attempt flight on the ridge. He ended coming to a stop with the wings removed and upside down. There are many takeaway items from this.

Having a newer 406 ELT and having a GPS tracking device will expedite the recovery. He talks about being upside down with his arm not where it is supposed to be. If you are stuck in the glider having the first-aid kit in the back of a Schempp-Hirth glider next to the O2 tank might be unreachable. A piece of rope so you could pull if forward would help. A dead cell phone, he had ship power but no way to charge his phone.

Another pilot talks about losing his glasses on impact and not being able to read his phone or see the buttons on his Spot. The second pair in a shirt pocket might be a good idea.

Tom Kelley talks about watching the headlights of a crew drive around the edge of the dry-lake and not being able to see the glider. A strobe light sitting on the tail or in the cockpit would make the glider very visible.

Finding the gate might have been easy during the day but returning in the dark might make it impossible. Strobe lights, glow sticks, flashlights make it much easier to find, leave something hanging on the correct gate.

At a contest in Tonopah I remember one crew being very worried about the length of the retrieve and the fact the pilot did not have his evening medication.

I wear a SMAK Pak from Allan Silver.

Land-out & Survival List

A book, Bug spray, First-aid kit, Sidearm, Spare cell battery, inReach, Walking shoes, Rain jacket, Blanket, Rubber boots in Finland, Claw, Water, MRE, Space blanket, Tow Rope, SMAK, Strobe light x2, Flashlight, Glow sticks, Cuban Cigar, Rum...lots of rum

Sky Full of Heat - Sebastian Kawa is a nine-time World Champion.  In his book, Sebastian shares his secrets of success:  passion, knowledge, and experience.  Learn how to use thermals, how to win and other tips from the worlds best.  He talks about safety and taking necessary risks.

S.M.A.K PAK Survival Kits is survival equipment that attaches to your parachute. Both the mini and mid-size come with a hook knife, flat whistle, fire starter, and signal mirror. The mid-size is large enough to store a Delorme inReach or Spot Gen3.

 Garret Willat holds a flight instructor rating with over 8000 hours in sailplanes. His parents have owned Sky Sailing Inc. since 1979. He started instructing the day after his 18th birthday. Since then, Garret has represented the US Junior team in 2003 and 2005. He graduated from Embry-Riddle with a bachelor's degree in Professional Aeronautics. Garret represented the US Open Class team in 2008 and 2010 and the Club Class team in 2014. Garret has won 3 US National Championships.