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Gliders are a bit like ducks, graceful in the air but awkward on the ground. Since they don’t move all that well once they come to a stop, it is important to promote the activities that will keep the active runway area clear, particularly for landings. The appropriate behaviour on landing is to always exit the glider promptly so you can assess the situation properly. As a minimum the glider should be rotated perpendicular to the runway, as this will present the least profile to incoming traffic. Next it is important to clear the runway with a path perpendicular to it. Crossing an active runway at an angle leaves you exposed for a longer period of time. It is better to get clear and then move up the sides.

Given a choice, clear the runway to the side the launch line is on. This opens the clearest space to inbound aircraft in the minimum time, and saves re-crossing the active area again.  It is also safer not to have inbound gliders land between lines of other gliders.   Also, landing longer, beyond the nose of the glider at the beginning of the launch line, is a better choice than landing shorter. Even though in the second diagram, the glider crosses in front of the launch line, the activity there is intermittent, and under control. This choice leaves the maximum runway available for a second inbound glider. It also helps to prevent the launch line from moving back, which can further congest the threshold of the runway. The poorest choice is to land right beside the launch line, as this leaves the worst options for clearing the landing lane.

License: public domain