On a cross-country flight, what is the recommended action if the pilot is getting too low?

• A. Choose a landing area only when you see a suitable field
• B. Have a suitable landing area selected upon reaching 2000 feet AGL, and a specific field chosen upon reaching 1500 feet AGL
• C. Immediately execute a 360-degree turn at 1500 feet AGL
• D. Land at the nearest airstrip regardless of conditions

Answer: (B)

In cross-country glider flying the emphasis is on energy management and having a safe landing option planned before you’re too low. As you start to lose altitude, you should lay out your plan early. By about two thousand feet AGL you should have a suitable landing area in mind, enough to keep options open if the glide becomes limited. Then, as you descend to about fifteen hundred feet AGL, you should have a specific field selected, chosen with regard to wind direction, obstructions, surface conditions, and terrain. This two-step planning gives you time to evaluate the best approach path and set up a safe landing without rushing at the last moment. It reduces the risk of finding yourself with few good choices once altitude is critical.

Choosing a landing area only when you happen to see a suitable field is risky because you may pass over good options or run out of energy before you can reach them. Trying to gain altitude with a tight turn at low altitude is inefficient and wastes precious energy when you need to preserve glide distance. Landing at the nearest airstrip regardless of conditions ignores the suitability of the site and can place you in unsafe terrain or with unfavorable landing conditions.