On Jan 7, 1:52*pm, Frank Paynter wrote:
On Jan 7, 10:19*am, tstock wrote:





Hi everyone, I've been reading "Advanced Soaring Made Easy" by Bernard
Eckey, and this is a fantastic book for a new pilot. *It does discuss
learning to get out of the comfort zone of flying safely within glide
range of the airport. *This is something I am just venturing into
myself and I was curious how some of you went about this when you were
learning?

When and how did you cut the strings for the first time? Was it with
an instructor? Did you do it in small steps, or did you just plan a
cross country flight? *Or did you land out by accident once and get
thrown over that initial fear?

Since I am still renting a glider, it can be a bit of a problem if I
land out, but I would like to start flying a bit further outside my
comfort zone.

I was considering asking a more experienced pilot if I could "ride
along" with them on a cross country flight to help me get over the
butterflies.

Any advice appreciated,
Tom

Tom,

Get a copy of the Condor soaring simulator and do some cross-country
flights in it. *Find an experienced Condor pilot and fly with them
online. *You'll be surprised at how much of Condor skills transfer to
real life (and vice versa). *Read my Condor Corner articles in U.S.
SSA's Soaring magazine

Frank (TA).

Hi Frank, I have been flying in Condor since I first started
flying ... it helped me a lot with learning to fly.. my instructor had
me land on my 2nd and 3rd lesson! But for venturing out cross country
on the simulator, I have done this, and I even have the map for my
local area. While the motions are the same, the consequences are not,
so the fear remains. The only problem with Condor is that you can
land out just about anywhere (even on top of a mountain).

I do still often practice CC flying in Condor though.

-tom