Gone Soaring Cross Country!Ok, it is unofficially official, says me! Thanks to friend and fellow pilot Scott Lance, I was able to push my limits toward a soaring cross country glider fllight. Scott recently flew over 330 miles and climbed to an altitude of 17,600.' Scott is quite an accomplished pilot! That said, it is truly a learning process and developing cross country glider skills are something only gained through experience.
Remember, there are no engines or go arounds. A glider's power comes from the pilot's flying ability and Mother Earth's available natural environmental resources to keep them aloft.
To date, I have demonstrated that I can soar for hours. I have completed two of the three legs for what would be required for the SSA Silver Badge requirement. Unfortunately, to be official, it will require observers, data recordings, photographs over pre-determined points, and prior planning required for documention.
As I'd love to have officially earned the silver badge, it means as much knowing the goal can be achieved.
The Silver Badge involves three required elements. Silver Altitude is a 1,000 meter (3,281 foot) altitude gain above a in-flight low point; Silver Duration is a 5 hour flight time after tow release, and Silver Distance is a 50 km (31.07 mile) cross country flight.
With excitement, I am humbled (what a challenge) to have soared to over 13,300,' completed numerous cross country triangles (one distance cross country over 110 miles), have had duration flights for just under 5 hours, and am enjoying every minute.
See also Gone Flying, Gone Flying Two, Gone Soaring, Gone Ballooning, and Gone Aerobatic.
Below you will find a few pictures taken to share this experience.
Friend Scott Lance and I Rigging the Trailer, |
Climbing Out of Hemet-Ryan at 2.5 knots! |
Working Out of Hemet's Valley. |
Getting Lift! If You Look Close, You Will Find Another Glider Below (See Above Center). |
Almost to the S-Ridge. |
At the S-Ridge. |
11,500' Plus and Holding
Our Own.
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View of Banning Airport (See Lower Center). |
Working the San Gorgonio Ridge. |
Looking to the North East, Towards Palm
Springs. Gotta Be Pretty High To See This View. |
This was About the Time and Altitude We Used Our Oxygen, and Where Lear Jets and Southweast Airliners are to be Found. |
Over Warner Springs Airport, About 11,000.' |
Final Glide Retruning from Warner Springs. |
Almost Home, Viewing Lake Riverside. |
Home Stretch, Viewing Diamond Valley Resevoir, with Hemet on the Horizon. |
Hemet-Ryan Just Out of View, Upper Left. |
Entering 45 to Downwind for 22 Hemet. |
Home Safe at Hemet-Ryan.
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A Great Pilot, Scott Lance Securing
our Trusty Bird.
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Flight Trace for the Day.
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