are a vital skillset for any glider pilot, especially prior to attempting **cross-country** flight. Many veteran cross-country pilots will tell you, it's not a mater of **if** you will land out, it's a matter of **when**! ### Why? Flying beyond gliding distance to an airport is a risk often encountered during cross-country flights in a glider. To manage this risk, a pilot will plan a route with suitable off-airport landing options available, and be proficient in performing off-airport landings. Additionally, pilots may need to perform an off-airport landing for a number of other reasons: rapid/unforecast changes in weather, tow failures or other emergencies, or pilot errors such as loss of situational awareness and poor decision making. A properly executed off-airport landing is almost always better than a botched approach/landing to an airport. ### When? (How low is too low?) The most common errors related to off-airport landings are denial (refusing to accept the necessity of performing an off-airport landing) and delay (searching for lift rather than planning for the off-airport landing). Pilots or organizations may develop their own rules based on the local terrain, but the general rules of thumb for cross-country flying are: - select a general area by 2000ft AGL - select a specific field to land by 1500ft AGL - commit to the approach and landing by 1000ft AGL ### Selecting a suitable landing area The ideal landing area is clear, flat, firm, level, allows for a landing into the wind, and will make glider retrieval easy; in order of importance. Not all off-airport landings will allow for this, so prioritize what you can in selecting a field, and keep a few things in mind: - By "clear", give yourself **plenty** of room to safely land the glider, with a margin for error - Avoid discontinuities in the landscape; this is most likely where obstructions or changes in the surface will be - Plan for obstacles. Telephone poles and power lines are very difficult to see from the air, and are often found along the border of good landing areas; if you see any poles or buildings, **assume** that there are wires between them, and plan to fly above them - Wind and slope can both have substantial effects on landing performance; there are no absolutes (use good judgement!), but generally a modest downhill slope will negatively effect landing more than a modest tailwind - Judging a landing surface from altitude can be difficult, so do your research and talk to local pilots. Knowledge of the local landscape and seasonal changes can help to make an informed decision as to where to go, and where to avoid ### Planning and executing the approach When planning and executing the approach, a pilot should be primarily concerned with visually assessing the intended landing area, and maneuvering to make the approach and landing as normal and familiar as possible. The recommended procedure for this is to fly a high base and upwind leg to begin inspecting the landing area, then a crosswind leg to join as normal a traffic pattern as possible. This is not an absolute, and can be modified as conditions dictate. ![[off airport landing.png]] The landing should be performed as a [[Normal and Crosswind Landing]], with a few important considerations: - The pilot likely will not have access to the precise elevation of the landing area, so the approach should be flown **without** reliance on the altimeter; just like any other approach, judgement and correction for the proper approach **angle** will be the primary means of flying an accurate approach - No matter how large or small the field, select an aiming and touchdown point for the glider, taking into account any known or anticipated obstructions in/around the landing area - Plan to touchdown with **minimum energy**, and bring the glider to a stop as soon as possible ### After landing Generally, it is best to stay with the glider after landing; it is easier to find than a person, and it can offer protection from the elements. Proper preflight preparation and planning should give a pilot several options to call for assistance; this may include a cell phone, radio, satellite phone, personal locator device, etc - No injuries? secure the glider, and call for retrieval - Injuries? tend to the injuries, and get assistance ASAP (call 911, 121.5, use ELT, etc) ### Practice during training and examinations Practicing off-airport landings is typically done at airports. The instructor or evaluator will cover the altimeter, and instructor/evaluator or tow pilot will instruct you when to release. The landmarks in the traffic pattern may be familiar, but that is **NOT** the point of practicing this! Judge your approach by glide angle and position relative to the landing area. ### Common errors - Denial: refusing to accept the necessity of performing an off-airport landing - Delay; searching for lift rather than planning for the off-airport landing - Prioritizing ease of glider retrieval over the safety of the approach/landing - During training, attempting to rely on familiar landmarks rather than judging approach by glide angle and position relative to the landing area ### Completion standards The PTS includes this skill set for assessment as "Simulated Off-Airport Landing" in area of operation X: *Emergency Operations*. - Sport/Private Pilot: evaluated orally - Commercial Pilot: performs a simulated off-airport landing at an established airport without the use of an altimeter