Jim Vincent wrote:
I agree, who can fly 5 hours probably can do 300k or even 500k in a
"hot" ship.



I differ with you there. Each places a different demand on the skills of the
pilot.

A five hour flight can be done "flag poling" around the home field with no fear
of landing out. The only challenge is finding the next thermal, which are
probably all house thermals, relieving your bladder, and staying comfortable.

A cross country flight requires all these elements, plus navigation, strategy,
and technique.

What about GPS and glide computers? All you have to do is to believe
what they tell you. So navigation and strategy more or less sorted out.
If we manage to remove the fear of outlanding we are at the same task.
Keep the glider in the air more than 5 hours but choose your next
thermal at a certain direction.
Let's tell the truth: it's not as complicated as most pilots tend to
state it

/Janos