"Bill Daniels" wrote in message
news:kdSdncLVZoeII3rfRVn-

I seem to remember a story about a pilot who, after getting thoroughly
lost,
landed 300km away after failing to identify his 50km goal.

Bill Daniels

Ha, ha. One of my syndicate partners (Oly2b) went C/C on a very windy day
from Meir (S-o-T) and managed to tear his map badly en route. He flew on
for a bit and thought he recognised a building below him. He took out his
packet of ciggies (we were always trying to stop him smoking in the glider)
and saw that the packet (Capstan) had a picture of this building on the
back. It was Nottingham Castle! Plenty far enough for Silver, so he landed
in a public park nearby. When we arrived with the trailer he was still
arguing with the park keeper as to whether or not any byelaws had been
broken! This guy became a 'park' landing specialist and did it again in
Stoke. He left the glider in the care of the parkie and carrying his 'chute
and barograph returned to the Club by bus! It was quicker than phoning the
clubhouse.

I have to admit to my shame that I generally had no exact idea of where I
was when I landed out. the question 'Am I near.....' always allowed me to
say 'Of course! I thought that was where I was....' when my actual location
was revealed.

Alistair Wright