At what altitudes should you identify a suitable landing area and a specific field when getting too low on cross-country flight?

• A. 1000 ft AGL and 500 ft AGL
• B. 2000 ft AGL and 1500 ft AGL
• C. 3000 ft AGL and 2500 ft AGL
• D. 4000 ft AGL and 3500 ft AGL

Answer: (B)

When you’re getting too low on a cross-country flight in a glider, you should start planning your landing early by identifying options you could reach safely. The first step is to pick a general landing area at about 2,000 feet above the ground. This gives you enough altitude to scan a wide area, judge terrain, wind, and potential approaches, and determine if there’s a feasible spot to land without rushing.

As you descend further, you should narrow that plan to a specific field within that area at about 1,500 feet AGL. Pinpointing a concrete field gives you a definite target, lets you assess its surface, slope, obstacles, and surroundings, and enables you to set up a controlled approach.

This two-step approach—broadly identifying a landing area first, then a specific field—helps ensure you have time to evaluate options and execute a safe landing when you’re too low to continue the flight.