If there was a better way to go – then it would find me

Nine participants attended this year’s Cross-Country Course at Matamata held over Labour Weekend plus Tuesday and Wednesday.

Theme: “If there was a better way to go – then it would find me.”

As an introduction to cross-country flying this course focused on the 3 essential things that a pilot needs before going cross-country.

1. Identifying and knowing what the wind direction is at all times.

2. Choosing a suitable paddock that one can land in at any time

3. Executing a circuit and landing into that paddock.

Saturday was a rainy day (which is a good way to start) so that we could get a good chunk of the theory part out of the way. Steve Care covered paddock selection with lots of photos where the participants were able to select / point out landable paddock options. In the afternoon I did an exercise (that I hadn’t seen or done before), which was to give each of the participants an action cue card (27 cards in total) about things that need to be done before joining the circuit, and in the circuit. The participants then collectively and in discussion with each other had to place these in order in an imaginary circuit around the table. As well as engaging the participants in a group exercise, this provided a discussion point that included the latest information from the PTP (Pilot Training Program) and the reasons why things are done in a particular order. Interestingly, when the participants were flying and were rushed or forgot certain things in their circuit it was because they hadn’t done the right things in the right order leading up to the landing. Strong emphasis was made that the planning and circuit required for an out-landing is the SAME circuit that should be practiced and used EVERY time at the home site. In particular a ½ - 2/3 (effective) airbrake approach gives the steepest approach angle to the aiming point and subsequently the shortest landing distance from the aiming point. If a landing is to be made on a long field, then simply moving the aiming point up the field appropriately allows the pilot to practice a short landing. Make every landing a practice for a short landing.

Anton Lawrence gave a talk on “What’s in his gliding box” as an illustration on what to have handy for a flight and what you are likely to need on the field.

David Moody was the glue of the course in my mind (having run this course for the last 8 years) and taking the participants from a stage in their gliding careers where there is a shift from having had the decisions made for them in the past to taking ownership for their own decisions. This includes choosing your own paddocks, learning about the weather, and making your own decisions in the air. Thank you David.

If there’s a “Social Glue” in gliding events, it’s everywhere Marion Moody goes. Her catering for gliding events is legendary !

Once again, we were lucky / blessed to have Ian Williams flying the 2 seat (side by side) Dimona Motor-Touring Glider ZK-GCB to take participants flying for real-life paddock selection / approach. The participants were able to choose a paddock, set up a circuit and landing approach, perform a final glide to the paddock and then climb away once an appropriate steady glide to an aiming point was satisfactorily established. The participants were able to do this for 3 paddocks in the one flight. What a great tool to have. Thank you Ian. A thank you also to Gerard Robertson, for all the pre-course co-ordination and other unseen tasks over the weekend

Murray Wardell

Course Director