BGA FIELD LANDING BRIEFING
1. By 2000 FT. If landing appears probable, fly to a suitable area, preferably flat and unobstructed. Remember you will cover far more ground if you fly down wind.
2. By 1500 FT. Pick an area with 2 or 3 potentially suitable fields: consider the surrounding terrain.
a. Are there hills to create turbulence or surface wind problems?
b. Are there TV cables, TV masts or other large obstacles?
c. Does the ground slope visibly? If so is it to steep?
d. Stay orientated with wind direction experienced during the cross-country – relate to sun position.
3. By 1000 FT. Select your field considering the following:
a. Surface Wind – assess the wind by means of your drift or by smoke. Always aim to land in a direction, which will give you a substantial headwind component.
b. Field Length – remember the apparent size of any field is seen relative to the size of those surrounding it. Know the topography of the country over which you are flying. A good field for a modern glider would be 500 – 600 yards long with relatively unobstructed boundaries.
c. Obstructions – obstructions reduce the useable field length by at least 10 times the height at which you clear them. Trees and buildings will also create turbulence.
d. Slope – any visible down slope in the field is unacceptable. A similar upslope would be acceptable (the wheel brake will be needed). Examine surrounding fields for slope indications. Fields at the bottom of a valley often suffer from excessive slope.
e. Surface – look for fields in the following order of priority:
(1) Stubble
(2) Grass – but beware of strip grazing indicating electric fences – any shading in the grass surface almost certainly indicates the presence of fencing.
(3) Short Crop – the surface should appear more brown than green.
(4) Other cropped fields may present a hazard on landing – remember half-ripe crops may look like stubble – consider the season!
f. Stock – Sheep panic, run and sometimes jump up. Cows are curios, horses bolt. A solitary cow is probably a bull! Try to avoid fields with stock in them.
Field Landing Briefing June 10

4. By 800 ft AGL – Position the glider well upwind and well to one side of your field – visualise the length of the downwind leg at your home airfield. Use pre-selected ground reference points to maintain orientation and positioning. Be conscious of the tendency to cramp your circuit and plan to avoid doing so.
5. Base Leg Position – Plan to be abeam your touchdown by 400 to 500 ft. resist the common tendency to position the base leg to close – plan for a half airbrake approach. Select a safe approach speed. Excessive speed will usually result in overshooting the field. Allow an adequate margin of height over obstructions. Once you are certain you can safely clear them use full airbrake to achieve an early touch down. Aim for minimum touch down speed on rough surfaces. Ground looping is common when landing in crop. Concentrate on keeping the wings level and retract flaps if necessary.
In addition to the mandatory Bronze badge field landing requirement, the BGA recommends periodic field landing refresher training in an SLMG. BGA June 2010
Field Landing Briefing June 10