On Wed, 02 Jul 2008 13:42:38 -0700, Cats wrote:

I'm not sure what the state of play in the US is, but at my club and I
suspect all others in the UK, we have to have our Bronze badge plus XC
endorsement before flying other than locally (e.g. attempting Silver
distance).

That's certainly true in my club. Usually a newly minted Bronze XC
Endorsed pilot would attempt Silver distance as their first XC on
a day okayed by an instructor and after a thorough briefing.

Once that's accomplished the next target is the 100 km diploma - again
only after its been sanctioned by an instructor.

It seems to work for us - unless the day suddenly turns to worms most
pilots get Silver on their first attempt. Before you ask, we're
scrupulous about not permitting lead & follow or similar cheating
for these flights and we much prefer Silver distance to be flown in a
Junior rather than anything with better performance. New XC pilots may not
get the speed leg of the 100 km diploma on their first attempt but they're
likely to complete the task.

Of course an outlanding is still a possibility but they
don't happen often and there is a body of knowledge about where the best
fields are (given the state of the crops) which can and should be tapped.

Those without the XC Endorsement are expected to avoid landing out. If
they get it wrong and end up aux vaches there would likely be a discussion
with an instructor about deficient judgment.


--
martin@ | Martin Gregorie
gregorie. |
org | Zappa fan & glider pilot