On 1/3/2017 8:12 AM, Tony wrote:

I used to joke that one reason I landed out so much was because airports
were so dangerous. Airplanes, runway lights, and other hazards are
everywhere at municipal airports that just don't exist in a nice farmer's
field.

I was kidding...sorta


Heh...historically, runways - like roads - exert a powerful pull on lower-time
glider pilots when it comes to "choosing an ideal XC landing field." When I
edited my club's monthly newsletter for a number of years, a continual safety
drumbeat was words to the effect: the only certain thing about an active
(paved) runway (designed for powerplanes) is a (presumably) known (relatively)
decent surface. Particularly in the high plains and intermountain west, it's
easy to find narrow paved strips with nearby lurking light standards, each and
every one salivating at the thought of glider wingtips. "Runway complacence"
definitely not recommended!

Bob W.