Date: Wed, 13 Jun 2001 16:14:30 EDT
From: flymedave@aol.com
Subject: XC SEASON IS HERE
Dean Teigs recent crash while landing drives home the seriousness of what
we love to do. An event like this sits in my gut and reminds me to be very,
very conservative in my LZ choices.
The main reason We fly XC is for the game. We are sure not getting Rich!
but What a great personal challenge. It is also a big responsibility to
ourselves and our friends and loved ones.
XC landings are often the most unpredictable and dangerous part of the
flight. Developing this skill to a near 100 percent safety record is a must
for this type of flying. I have found that Murphy's law waits in many XC LZs
and only very conservative choices make for consistently safe landings.
How do you teach or learn such skill? Like all real skill It does not
happen over night. It starts at your home site and broadens with experience.
We need to have lots of arrows in our quiver for this game. Good XC pilots
are not crazy go for it mad man. Most are highly skilled pilots that know how
to fly conservatively for their skill level.One of The main skills to develop
is to be looking and thinking way ahead and keeping as many options open as
possible.
Turbulence in a LZ is often related to how strong the wind and how tall
the obstructions are around it. A good rule is > the more wind the larger the
LZ needs to be to safety land. Basicly get a long ways away from that house
or hill or trees or any thing else that will create a rotor.
Its better to shorten your flight or walk your wing aways rather than
risk the consequences of a serious learning experience.
It's great to be standing safely in a far away LZ at the end of a long
flight. You made it happen your way right down to the flair at the end.
We are all only as good as our last flight. All the ratings and past
flights mean nothing, Flying is a here and now event. I think that's what we
love and share in this sport.
Please error on the side of conservatism and don't try to fly above your
skill level. We can fly big miles day after day and keep it safe.
GET HIGH >GO FAR
I think we all know this.I just felt like saying it again :-)
Dave H