On Jun 30, 9:55=A0pm, soar2mor...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
wrote:
> On Jun 30, 9:52=A0am, Ryan Spicer <ryanspi...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
>
>
>
> > Hi all,
> > =A0 I've seen a lot of interesting discussion on this group re:
> > improving skills and safety, so I thought I'd ask this here: I'm
> > currently training for my private pilot glider ticket, starting from
> > zero. =A0I have about 12hrs in my logbook over 43 flights, about a
third=
> > of which are solo. I did initial training in a 2-33 and my instructor
> > recently checked me out in the 1-26, which I'm loving. =A0I have a
great=
> > instructor, insofar as I'm capable of judging such things, and I'm not
> > worried about passing the practical, but here's the question:
>
> > Beyond reading the Knauff books and seeking continuing instruction,
> > what recommendations does the group have for continuing to improve
> > skills and be better, safer pilot after I pass the practical? I'm
> > almost certainly going to continue training, =A0start learning what I
> > need to know to fly XC, and work on the SSA badges. I've seen what
> > looks like some good advice in some recent threads, and I'm certainly
> > looking for more. I know my CFIG is the first and best point of
> > contact for all these things, but I'm always in favor of getting more
> > information when possible. =A0So what are the things you wish you'd
> > known at this point in your soaring career?
>
> > Also, I've searched for the Knauff books on Amazon, and they appear to
> > be out of print. Is this correct? If so, is my best bet to purchase
> > them through Amazon used, or are there other vendors that are
> > preferred?
>
> Contrary to much of the advice proferred here, I think you need to
> concentrate on local flights and build up your skill levels before
> attempting any XC flights. Flying XC assumes that you ALREADY have the
> fundamental soaring skills down pat, and can devote a large part of
> your attention on things flight planning, weather prediction, route
> planning, landout monitoring, etc.
>
> Look at it this way: you will not be punished for being over-prepared
> prior to XC flight, but you sure as hell will be if you are under-
> prepared.
The way to avoid those issues is to fly dual with an experienced XC
pilot in a nice XC ****p that can show you what can be done, and clue
you into some of the basics of XC flight but more im****tantly show you
what the big picture looks like and whether this is really likely to
interest you/be worth all the effort. Especially if you already have
strong interest in XC flight I'd talk to your CFIG and other local
pilots and see if there are op****tunities for some dual XC flying.
This will give you a good perspective and keep your interest high.
While book reading, study, talking to folk is useful flying XC dual
lets you see the real thing. BTW if you can't find this locally then,
like Fred LaSor says look around and try to find somewhere/somebody
that can help you with this. Of course balance doing things like this
with advice from your CFIG on things you need to focus on.
BTW I've had some fun dual flights with low time/non-XC pilots. But
one of my favorite was a bit different, was with an internationally
ranked paraglider pilot who had never flown in a sailplane. A 460km
O&R along the Sierras opened his eyes to what a sailplane can do.
Greg could not wipe the smile off his face.
http://blog.gregbabush.com/2006/09/truckee-mammoth-truckee-462-km.html
Darryl
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