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