Self-Launching Gliders are the way of the future

[Dave Bax]

There is no club extreme aversion to land outs.

The club requirement for use of club gliders for XC include:
* The pilot has completed the Bronze course
* The pilot has been given XC privileges by the CFI
* The pilot has been given XC authorization on the day by a senior instructor, which takes into account at least:
(a) the weather conditions
(b) the pilot has arranged a retrieve crew
(c) one of the retrieve crew, or ideally the pilot, knows how to derig the aircraft
(d) the relevant trailer is available and road worthy
(e) a suitable car with tow hook available
(f) pilot should have a phone on him
(g) tow plane retrieve possible if a tow pilot has agreed and the land out location is safe for tow plane operation and not after sunset.

The above points should not be considered an aversion, they are common sense and common courtesy to the other members of the club.

[Tim Wood]

Re. Extreme Aversion.........
Thanks for the list Dave
You forgot a few key requirements:
(h) leave the keys on the dash of the retrieve vehicle if the owner is the land-out pilot
(i) Leave the retrieve vehicle full of gas
(j) Make sure the trailer has at least ONE SERVICEABLE WING STAND.

The length of this list makes my point.

I will just add, I know that powered gliders are a great aid to cross country flying in both club environments and in private hands. I am intimately familiar with both.

Cheers, Tim

[Kenneth Voort]

I would also add that if the retrieve vehicle has a manual transmission, be sure that somebody on your retrieve crew can drive it, and that that person commits to awaiting your return to the field.

And for electric vehicles, make absolutely sure they're fully charged. Those of us that don't drive them really have no idea where or how to charge them.

As for the length of the list, I don't think exceptions should be made for motorgliders. If anyone flies cross country, the decision to do so should take into account the possibility of the failure of the engine to start, or the failure of the pilot to start it. A pilot not considering this list will be more apt to fiddle with the engine in marginal conditions, making the dangers even worse.

[Ryan Dewsbury]

I will just add, I know that powered gliders are a great aid to cross country flying in both club environments and in private hands. I am intimately familiar with both.

Cheers, Tim

Out of curiosity which models did the club out west use?

[Luis Rodriguez]

Tim mentioned in his initial post a DG-400.