Landing out! Field Landings!

Why do we fly? Part of the sport of gliding is being able to fly using the natural elements. Pitting your skill against natures weather. Cross-country flying is an inherent part of the enjoyment of our sport

Flying cross-country is……. FUN Exhilarating Exciting Sense of achievement With a definite …… WOW factor But……………

Cross-country flying or even local soaring the pilot can get outside gliding range of a suitable airfield…… a field landing could be your next option….

Landing in a field….. comes with a RISK warning! ……a ‘cross-country mass land out’….about 1945!

How do we reduce the risks? Practice ! Practice ! Practice! Accurate well placed landings! Familiarity with the glider (currency). Awareness of ‘today's’ field states/crops. Recency in field selection procedures.

Field Landings (practice) On the airfield Dual training cross-country Using the Motor-glider.

Field selection 2000 feet AGL Ensure over a land able area feet AGL Select a field. … local soar using this as your ‘base’ field.

Field selection Wind (landing direction) Smoke Drift Crop ripples Cloud shadows Take-off direction!

Field selection Size Consider the biggest field possible……..

Field selection Shape A long field into wind – OK A long field - 90 degree x’wind not so good. A square shape field consider landing on the diagonal….. Longer landing run.

Field selection Slope generally from 1500’ if you can see a slope it is probably … steep! …. Land UP the slope.

Field selection Surface GOOD Grass Stubble Young crop (field surface visible)

Field selection BAD Plough Standing crop Oilseed rape.

Field selection Stock Cattle Sheep Horses avoid!

Field selection Surrounds Buildings Trees Power lines/ telegraph poles/wires Tall obstructions shorten the field length by 10 times height of obstruction. Tree crossed at 90 ft. = 300 yards. Into field.

Field selection Farm airstrips Use with caution Often minimal width – a Cessna 172 or similar GA aircraft only needs 10 metres… your span is 15/18 metres ….or more. Often with crop fields either side. Some have approaches with obstructions – wires, pylons, farm buildings etc.

Examples of Farm Strips South Scarle Grassthorpe Grange

Examples of field hazards National Grid power lines

Examples of field hazards Slope up from river!

Examples of field hazards Telegraph wires ditch

Examples of field hazards Standing Crop (sugar beet)

Examples of field hazards Spring Barley

Examples of field hazards Oilseed Rape July May

Summary Always make an early decision to land. Pre-landing checks! Carry these out early. With height / time to consider any hazards. Don’t rush your decent into the field. If possible, have a second option – under/over shoot field. Practice and currency !

AFTER YOU LAND! Secure the glider Attempt to contact land-owner. Do not admit liability. Take photographs of any crop damage. Ensure your crew do not cause further crop damage. Thank land-owner before you leave. ….. You are committing TREPASS ……

One adventure ends … look forward to the next! Don’t forget your crew A beer or even a ‘crew meal’ will ensure you get a prompt retrieve crew on your next ‘field landing adventure’ It will also give you a chance to tell them “how you did it..”

Useful Web sites

For hire…..the perfect retrieve crew

And finally! Annual ‘field landing’ checks in the Motor glider…………..a plea! Please, please, can you ensure these are done early, don’t leave it to a soarable day, and expect an instructor to be available……....and don’t forget to have FUN!

Any questions?