Ready to Venture Out for the First Time?

I would be lying if I said your first cross country will be totally relaxed. Actually, if you are not a little scared you are probably doing something wrong. The below topics are what I have my students do when they come to be.

Of course, you have read all you can on cross-country flying, tactics, and weather.

I would use a mentor and the OLC to get a good idea for your first task.

Start looking at the weather forecasts to get an idea of what to expect. It helps when you look at the weather every day you go flying. Look at others flights so you get an idea of what is possible.

One of my favorite diagrams comes from the Joy of Soaring. It is a simple caricature side profile of a cross-country. It is an easy way to show how simple the math is. It also works well for transferring the numbers to a sectional with distance or altitude rings. I would guess about half of my students get the go-no-go point incorrect when just using a sectional.

Have a well-marked (visible) sectional (remember KISS). You want to easily find yourself on the sectional and know how high you need to be to make it to an airport. The easier you can find your point to continue onto the other airport the easier it will be.

If you can get access to dual XC flying, that would be ideal. It will build confidence quickly and safely. Having someone to fly with and point things out as you go can be very valuable. Also having someone to ask questions and keep you planning ahead is very helpful. The next best thing is to lead and follow.

Be competent and confident in your low energy and spot landing abilities. Even going from airport to airport there is still no guarantee you will land there. The airport could also be busy and you need to stop at a particular taxiway.

You need to be confident in your thermalling ability. If you are still not able to stay up when others can then you are probably not ready yet. You do not want to be trying to learn how to thermal while low a long way from home.

Don't be surprised if your first 50km flight takes you 3 hours. I remember my first flights in the Grob 102 were averaging around 25mph.

 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.