with procedures for towing and backing a long trailer. The tow vehicle should be strong and stable enough for towing. Both radio and telephone communication options should be discussed with the retrieval crew. 

Before any flight, obtain a standard briefing and a soaring forecast from the Automated Flight Service Station (AFSS). As discussed in Chapter 9, Soaring Weather, the briefer supplies general weather information for the planned route, as well as any NOTAMs, AIRMETs, or SIGMETs, winds aloft, an approaching front, or areas of likely thunderstorm activity. Depending on the weather outlook, beginners may find it useful to discuss options with more experienced cross- country pilots at their soaring site. 

Many pilots have specific goals in mind for their next cross- country flight. Several options should be planned ahead based on the area and different weather scenarios. For instance, if the goal is a closed-course 300 nautical mile (NM) flight, several likely out-and-return or triangle courses should be laid out ahead of time, so that on the specific day, the best task can be selected based on the weather outlook. There are numerous final details that need attention on the morning of the flight, so special items should be organized and readied the day before the flight. 

Lack of preparation can lead to delays, which may mean not enough of the soaring day is left to accomplish the planned flight. Even worse, poor planning leads to hasty last-minute preparation and a rush to launch, making it easy to miss critical safety items. 

Inexperienced and experienced pilots alike should use checklists for various phases of the cross-country preparation in order to organize details. When properly used, checklists can help avoid oversights, such as sectionals left at home, barograph not turned on before takeoff, etc. Checklists also aid in making certain that safety of flight items, such as all assembly items, are checked or accomplished, oxygen turned on, drinking water is in the glider, etc. Examples of checklists include the following: 

• Items to take to the gliderport (food, water, battery, charts, barograph). 

• Assembly must follow the Glider Flight Manual/ Pilot’s Operating Handbook (GFM/POH) and add items as needed. 

• Positive control check. 

• Prelaunch (water, food, charts, glide calculator, oxygen on, sunscreen, cell phone). 

• Pretakeoff checklist itself. 

• Briefing checklist for tow pilot, ground crew, and retrieval crew. 

Being better organized before the flight leads to less stress during the flight, enhancing flight safety. 

## Personal and Special Equipment 

Many items not required for local soaring are needed for cross-country flights. Pilot comfort and physiology is even more important on cross-country flights since these flights often last longer than local flights. An adequate supply of drinking water is essential to avoid dehydration. Many pilots use the backpack drinking system with readily accessible hose and bite valve that is often used by bicyclists. This system is easily stowed beside the pilot, allowing frequent sips of water. A relief system also may be needed on longer flights. Cross-country flights can last up to 8 hours or more, so food of some kind is also a good idea. 

Several items should be carried in case there is an off-field landing. (For more details, see Chapter 8, Abnormal and Emergency Procedures.) First, a system for securing the glider is necessary, as is a land-out kit for the pilot. The kit varies depending on the population density and climate of the soaring area. For instance, in the Great Basin in the United States, a safe landing site may be many miles from the nearest road or ranch house. Since weather is often hot and dry during the soaring season, extra water and food should be added items. Taking good walking shoes is a good idea as well. A cell phone may prove useful for landouts in areas with some telephone coverage. Some pilots elect to carry an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) in remote areas in case of mishap during an off-field landing. 

Cross-country soaring requires some means of measuring distances to calculate glides to the next source of lift or the next suitable landing area. Distances can be measured using a sectional chart and navigational plotter with the appropriate scale, or by use of Global Positioning System (GPS). If GPS is used, a sectional and plotter should be carried as a backup. A plotter may be made of clear plastic with a straight edge on the bottom marked with nautical or statute miles for a sectional scale on one side and World Aeronautical Chart (WAC) scale on the other. On the top of the plotter is a protractor or semicircle with degrees marked for measuring course angles. A small reference index hole is located in the center of the semicircle. [Figure 11-2]  Prior to taking off, it may be handy to prepare a plotter for the specific glider’s performance by applying some transparent tape over the plotter marked with altitudes versus range rings in still air. After a little use, the glider pilot should gain a perception of the glide angle most often evident in the conditions of the day. 

Glide calculations must take into account any headwind or tailwind, as well as speeds to fly through varying sink rates as discussed in chapter 5. Tools range widely in their level 

