Cross country question? How is it done today?

On Sunday, October 13, 2013 7:01:43 PM UTC-7, 6PK wrote:
On Wednesday, September 11, 2013 7:22:16 AM UTC-7, flgliderpilot wrote:

I am fairly green had my PGL for about 3 years now.







Been venturing into cross country, have done my first flight out to another airport, and last weekend, an out to that airport and return, about 30 miles round trip (in a 1-26, no ridges, it's all flat Florida). No it's not very far, but at least I am not just circling the airport for hours, and my enjoyment of soaring has been taken to a new level.







However, I was told recently by an older experienced pilot that using a GPS is "not the correct way to do it". Instead I should be thinking "can I get there... now can I get there... can I get there...". I understand this ideology, but I am pretty sure nearly everyone is using GPS these days.







So, does this mean I should not use modern navigation technology? I know how to plot a cross country flight on paper of course, and required altitudes to the next safe landing area.







Does this mean I should I actually be drawing circles on charts, carrying a slide ruler to calculate arrival height at various distances, and mechanically doing everything my GPS is doing for me? This means I am not looking for traffic, or thermalling but instead flipping through charts and playing with a slide ruler or E6B, and my eyes are not outside the canopy.







Anyway, please enlighten a new pilot, I am listening intently. if I should not be using a GPS at this point I'll go without.







Thanks



Tom



Just my 5 c worth;

Always should consider to land on an airport-as a first choice (much preferred on the west coast- suitable landing spots are few and far in between and they change)

Have the basic good knowledge as to how many feet YOUR glider will loose per thousand feet.

Always carry current sectionals or at least world aeronautical charts .

Than get yourself a flight computer; SeeYou mobil, WinPilot, XCSoar etc they all basically do the same but at least if nothing else get a small pocket GPS.

Using these charts would be a last resort if all else fails ( but still have them) unless; you are near class B, C airpspaces and wish to navigate over, under or around them than utilizing a Terminal Area chart is a MUST flight computer or not!

Again it is a myth that looking or glancing at a PDA or PNA is more distracting than charts, it is by far the other way around.

Beside a PNA I downloaded XCSoar(free) onto my Android phone and will use it as a back up if need be far sooner than resorting to a chart(except a TCA).

In the many years of straight out cross country flying I can count on one hand how many times I landed on other than an airport.

However if you were to fly out here in the west at the least I would strongly encourage anyone to set foot and evaluate the landings sites first before considering landing on them.

6PK

Sorry about the typo; should have read:
"Have the basic good knowledge as to how many feet YOUR glider will loose per mile."