Now you are Ready to Venture Out

You have done your homework, you have flown with your map to see how practical it really is (revision 3?). Hopefully you found a 2-seater and experienced pilot to take you cross-county and talk about judgment and planning (I am always available at Sky Sailing in our S10vt).

Another fun option is doing some lead and follow. I have successfully done this with more advanced students. The only real issue is there is more radio chatter and you do not get to talk like you would in a 2-seater. I remember Danny Sorenson talking about cruising around with the gear down and spoilers cracked in his ASW-24 so the 1-26 could keep up. As the student gets more experience I change it to 'drag and drop' where after the first leg (out and return) I shift gears and let them make it home on their own. Out and return also seems to be less intimidating when trying to get some distance from the airport. This would be after doing smaller triangles around the airport and always keeping the home airport within glide.

Start by venturing out towards the 'go/no-go' point to the next airport. When you can make it, take the jump and ignore home and continue to the next airport. Do not be concerned about the home airport until you are back at the 'go/no-go' point and can make it back home. Since you are within the glide of the other airport there is little risk (the only risk is landing at the other airport). Be careful with "get-home'itis" and trying to make it home even though you are below the 'go/no-go' point.

This thought process can go to fields too, however, more care needs to be taken. Off-airport landings can be done very safely and with little risk. However, you are landing somewhere not purpose-built for airplanes to land. Generally, the nerves go up which leads to worse flying. Stay calm and stay focused. If you are going from field to field then you need to be much more confident in your landing abilities and need to have a good understanding of fields.

One instructor used to say that you have better been there on foot before you are with your tire. This might not be the most practical however there might always be a stray wire across the field. At the WGC in Finland, the few fields within 10km of the airport we went and walked, most of them were small and we would be getting to them low because of a failed final glide.

 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.