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2	"DECISION to land" DECISION to land SELECTION of field Search Wind* Size Slope Surface Seasons Obstructions EXECUTION of landing Circuit Approach Landing After landing Practice
3	*BEFORE TAKE-OFF Met Office Form 214 - UK spot wind chart Write predicted wind speed and direction on map (useful for navigation) Note compass heading for into-wind Note position of the Sun for into-wind This will change as the day progresses, of course Write QFE on map/back of hand ?
4	DECISION HEIGHTS For early cross-countries when outside gliding range of Dunstable and assuming an L/D of at least 34 (=K23):- make sure you are over landable terrain by 2000ft. i.e. not over built-up areas, forests, regions of small or otherwise un-landable fields (often in very hilly regions), expanses of water etc. by 1500ft choose a field and don’t let it get out of range (in weak lift you may be able to transfer to another field (but always keep one in range) by 1000ft make a decision to land and do it - whatever comes ! If you leave your altimeter on QFE Dunstable you will probably have an additional margin for error locally More experienced pilots (i.e. those with a reasonable number of field landings under their belts) will have a lower limit for ‘decision to land’ but they will always have suitable fields available You will probably know for yourself when you have reached this stage but don’t chance it before.
5	A LITTLE BIT MORE ON ALTIMETRY If you leave your altimeter on QFE-Dunstable you will probably have an additional margin for error locally – but this is not certain If you reset your altimeter to QNH you might be able to relate it to altitudes on the map - Discuss !!! You have got to decide if/when to re-set the altimeter and to what (QFE Dunstable is on your map/hand !!!) Your computer might give you height agl if it has a terrain database– but beware !!!! Altimeter definitely won’t. So - IGNORE the altimeter (or computer) below (say) 1000ft indicated - or as appropriate for the region – and use your judgement of height to use for circuit and landing.
6	A LITTLE BIT MORE ON ALTIMETRY THIS IS PROBABLY GOING TO BE PRETTY IRRELEVANT SOON* You may have re-set your altimeter to 1013 to make sure you didn’t bust a FL e.g. if you took off with 990mb QFE, you would ‘lose’ 690ft re-setting to QNE (1mb = 30ft but I’m not suggesting mental calcs in the air) You have got to decide if/when to re-set the altimeter and to what (QFE Dunstable is on your map/hand !!!) * a) Daventry b) Transition level going up
7	SEARCHING 1. Slow down to minimum sink speed -ish to give yourself maximum time in the air for searching 2. TURN DOWNWIND (other things being equal) e.g. minsink speed of 45kts with15kts of wind implies:- into wind = 30kts : downwind = 60kts - you will have TWICE the number of fields to choose from ! Try not to glide a long way to a good looking field if acceptable ones are closer. It might not be as good as it looks when you get there e.g. livestock. Do NOT glide a long way towards e.g.a built up area. Otherwise, when you get there (now lower) you will have reduced options by 50%
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9	SEARCHING 5. Get a general impression of the terrain:- Hills and slopes (see later), forrests/fields/towns, power lines, masts, other large obstacles
10	SEARCHING You are looking for a field:- Long enough (possibly on the diagonal) With acceptable surface* (and no livestock) Level or uphill into wind (or at least with into wind component) With no major obstructions * If there are tramlines you will want to land along them (with headwind component)
11	"Before take-off" Before take-off Write wind speed and direction on map Note compass heading for into-wind Note position of the Sun for into-wind This will change as the day progresses, of course During flight Keep a check on wind direction in relation to above by means of drift in thermals cloud shadows on the ground possibly, wind-socks/flags (if you’re lucky) smoke, ripples on water/crops, wind shadows on lakes etc (poss) the wind arrow on your computer (but be circumspect) Approach & landing Wind backs as you descend (up to 30^o anti-c/w) You don’t necessarily have to be dead into wind (unless it is very strong) but you probably don’t want a tail wind component
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13	OTHER WIND FACTORS Near the coast Near hills In valleys (normally blows along valleys during the day, but katabatic winds in the evening) Near fronts, cells, etc As the weather systems progress
14	SIZE The perception of size depends on the field relative to surrounding fields In a region of small fields (Wales?) a relatively larger field may look big but is actually still small. In a region of large fields (East Anglia?) fields may look small but are really big. A field which seems relatively large is actually enormous!
15	SIZE You need about 150 metres (yards) from reference point to stop in no wind on a level field if approaching at the correct speed (assuming normal wheel brake) The ref point will be some distance into the field – say 100metres – depending on the height of the hedge So 250 metres is about the minimum 300 + meters would be good Power poles are about 80 to 100 metres apart Electricity Pylons are about 170 to 200 metres apart Dunstable a/f is about 500 x 400 m but remember a lot of the landings are UPHILL
16	SIZE The required size will depend on Wind strength Type of glider (effectiveness of airbrakes, flaps) Slope Surface Obstructions on approach Skill of pilot !!!
17	SLOPE You CAN’T land downhill ! Fly all round the field, if possible, to assess slope When you get on the ground, slope is often steeper than it looked from the air Railway embankments (cuttings) are essentially level (also canals, lakes) In extremity choose uphill - downwind
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20	"Wiggly lines are almost certainly..." Wiggly lines are almost certainly streams or ditches It is DOWNHILL towards water ALWAYS land over the wiggly line into the field i.e. so that the water is behind you when you stop
21	SLOPE It is downhill to water (lakes, rivers etc - but not necessarily canals or reservoirs - normally identified by embankments) Try to see the general lie of the land
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24	SURFACE COLOUR Green can be a snare and a delusion especially turquoise but otherwise not always Yellow is not normally worth the risk Brown is often good
25	SURFACE – Tramlines if the ground has been cultivated it will be relatively flat (not necessarily level). tram lines (tractor lines/cultivation lines ) mean it is flat – no holes, ridges, ditches, tussocks etc. since a plough and harrow has been over it. HOWEVER the tramlines themselves will cause potential damage to the glider u/c if you land across them – land as nearly as possible along the tramlines, irrespective of exact wind direction the BEST fields have been cut for silage – big grass runways ! Try landing where it is cut, not heaped-up.
26	SURFACE late in season Harvested fields are usually OK i.e.stubble is normally OK * Mind the bales !!
27	SURFACE – No-No’s Rape – anything yellow is worth avoiding: turquoise green before it goes yellow: rape stubble is almost as bad – looks ‘ragged’. Ridge & Furrow (lots of it locally) – will definitely wreck your glider unless you are good enough to land along a ridge – few are ! Long crop – see next slide Anything not a uniform colour shade gentle shading might be ok but not hard lines (->electric fences) Ragged looking fields – often grazing pasture or long crop damaged by the wind, or rape Livestock – will eat your glider or trample on it Also the landowner will not be happy if you frighten valuable animals
28	CROP Become a student of agriculture (arable) Monitor the seasons and progress of the crops in various regions Short crop is no problem and little damage is done by the landing not necessarily true of the retrieve unless you are careful Long crop will wreck your glider because either the leading edges will be damaged: and/or you will ground loop and break off the tail How do you know how long it is?
29	LENGTH OF CROP It is too long if:- you see ‘ripples’ blowing across the field you can’t see the bottom of the hedges the tramlines seem deep (deep shadows) the crop seems level with the top of the hedges, or the field looks like a tray which is full-up
30	CROP You can see more earth (brown) through the green of short crop As it gets longer the brown earth disappears
31	CROP See http://www.fieldselection.co.uk for pictures of various crops in different months of the year from the air and from the ground The units on the markers are tens of centimeters (decimeters). So ‘5’ is 50 cms which is about 1’8”
32	OBSTRUCTIONS in circuit Mainly electricity pylons Masts – particularly anemometer masts – difficult to see, anchor points small, not on charts Woods and other obstructions may influence whether you choose left or right hand circuit Beware curl-over from trees, buildings Other aircraft (gliders going for the same field ? in a comp?)
33	OBSTRUCTIONS on approach Trees in the hedge line over which you are approaching are VERY dangerous you tend to concentrate on the reference point and ignore the wing tips if you catch a wing you will probably roll inverted, crash and possibly die !
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37	OBSTRUCTIONS on approach Wires – power/telephone Trees (a wood), lampposts, power wires etc will all set you high and a long way into the field effectively reducing its length
38	OBSTRUCTIONS in field Fences, inc electric Beware any change in shade/texture between two parts of a field. Also water troughs may indicate a fence. Beware tracks converging on a point. Power wires They tend to radiate out from buildings Have ‘eye’ shapes around the posts in the cultivation Footpaths, vehicle tracks, ditches – any line feature Livestock – don’t land there
39	SELECTION SUMMARY IDEALLY you are looking for a field:- with cultivation lines, into wind adequate length uphill (or level) with acceptable surface without obstructions on the approach (or circuit or in field)
40	DO NOT Consider convenience of access for the trailer/to the farmhouse Assume other gliders have got it right ! Do your own assessment
41	MARK THE FIELD It is VERY easy to lose your chosen field ! When you have chosen it, look for an outstanding landmark and its location in relation to your field e.g. distinctive wood, house, road junction etc Then when you take you eyes off the field, or turn away from it for positioning to high key, you will be able to pick it up again
42	CIRCUIT Do not forget to monitor speed at all times It is VERY easy to forget this IGNORE ALTIMETER Set up normal circuit High key You may have to manoeuvre away from the field to get here – that’s why you have ‘marked’ it DON’T make High Key too close !!!!! (See below re relative sizes) Low key Diagonal leg Base leg Final turn
43	CIRCUIT Do not hesitate to use airbrakes to adjust height at any stage Plan circuit to avoid areas of curl over on the approach if possible Pick a final turn point early in the downwind leg, while still high, and ‘mark’ it (e.g. house, X-roads, centre of a field)
44	BASE LEG Do NOT put the base leg too close* Maybe two or three fields back with appropriate height This will give time to set up a nice stabilised approach If you are too high, do a repeat base leg
45	*BASE LEG It is easy to make the base leg too close because:- The field is probably small compared with your home airfield and relatively speaking your base leg looks correct although it is actually too close (similarly High Key, above) At Dunstable our base legs are usually rather close anyway because of topographical features At Dunstable we tend to learn circuits off the winch – which are usually therefore too low and close-in !!! Use FULL a/b to correct height if required, then close/lock Can you sideslip your glider safely? No low turns !!!!!!!
46	APPROACH Correct SPEED is critical Be VERY cautious about trees in the hedge over which you are approaching also wires along hedge Watch out for curl over from trees or buildings or lift/sink from nearby topology Be sure to recognise any undershoot early and take decisive action
47	LANDING By this stage you are committed !!!! Make sure you do not undershoot but use full airbrake once you’re sure to clear obstructions Fully held off !!!!!! Judicious use of wheel brake Why ground run further than necessary – might be a hole But in extremity put it down, use the wheel- brake, and even ground loop You will probably break the glider but better than injury or death In any case it is better to hit the far hedge at 10kts than the near one at 55kts. The former might injure but the latter may kill.
48	AFTER LANDING After landing on a slope you may need to hold the brake on before you can get out – a bungee is useful Secure glider, take valuables with you Establish precise location - ?gps lat & long Double check – you don’t want your crew going to the wrong place – it has been known! Consider D&D cell Contact LGC – always Contact retrieve crew directly if desired
49	"Contact land owner to get..." Contact land owner to get permission to recover glider – be apologetic, humble, grateful … you are an uninvited guest – act accordingly Could offer a complimentary flight at LGC (cards available) And/or follow-up with a thank you letter (bottle of wine?) Meet crew on appropriate highway Minimise damage to crop Close all gates afterwards See BGA document which cover legalities, insurance, compensation etc (on their website: Info for Clubs & Members >Cross Country & Competitions > Field Landing > Guidance following a field landing)
50	IF LANDOWNER DEMANDS MONEY Damage covered by insurance Do not admit liability Do not pay anything Exchange addresses and insurance details Take photos Contact your insurers asap Landing fee ? Fully covered in BGA website document. (poss a small sum <=£20, refer to NFU agreement)
51	OR GETS DIFFICULT The BGA say:- that you cannot legally be prevented from leaving a property or taking your glider with you That you could be expelled by force – but no more than is reasonably necessary and only after being asked to leave Your glider cannot be confiscated or impounded – which would be theft. If you are prevented from reasonably retrieving your aircraft it becomes their responsibility – point out its value. If you are threatened – call the police. They will not be interested in trespass (which is a civil wrong) but they will get involved in a case of threatening behaviour which may be a criminal offence. ALWAYS STAY CALM AND ACT POLITELY
52	HOMEWORK While soaring locally practice choosing fields Note carefully where the field is (prob best with ¼ million map) After landing back, drive out to the field and see what it would have been like This can be very confidence giving (?instructive)
53	PRACTICE IN MG Briefing – what’s going to happen? We are not going to (intentionally) touch down but may get to the round-out 500 foot rule Un-obstructed exit from field Engine blips on descent
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