tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12083186.post7418751015221151928..comments2017-03-11T18:42:03.019-08:00Comments on Roger's Soaring Blog: Contest / cross-country / landoutRoger Wordenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07331708831051469328noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12083186.post-37651794854573840242007-09-23T22:38:00.000-07:002007-09-23T22:38:00.000-07:00I placed 14th out of 16 entries. One ship landed b...I placed 14th out of 16 entries. One ship landed back at Tehachapi. One other landed at Honda Track, but he had a lower handicap than I did, so finished below me.Roger Wordenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07331708831051469328noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12083186.post-57008459694255780212007-09-23T20:34:00.000-07:002007-09-23T20:34:00.000-07:00Jack, thanks for the nice comment. I definitely re...Jack, thanks for the nice comment. I definitely recommend flying at some other locations if you haven't already. Not long after getting my cert I rented a glider at a site in Florida. I went into it hoping to be allowed to fly solo, but not knowing if they would allow a low-time new pilot to fly their ship. If they wouldn't, I'd just think of it as a lesson with a different CFI in different conditions. Go fly at Minden with that caveat - you may fly on your own, you may not. When I flew there, I encountered the strongest lift I'd ever seen - AND the strongest sink! Made me think! You can find my post about Minden at http://rogersoaring.blogspot.com/2006/07/minden-nevada.html<BR/><BR/>Also, if you haven't thought about it, you might check into 'non-owned' or 'renters' insurance. The deductible on a rented ship can be quite high, and non-owned insurance can help protect you in the event you damage it.<BR/><BR/>Thanks again.Roger Wordenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07331708831051469328noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12083186.post-28781577132828544022007-09-23T08:05:00.000-07:002007-09-23T08:05:00.000-07:00I have just come across your blog and feel fortuna...I have just come across your blog and feel fortunate that I have found it. I am where you were two or three years ago--a newly certified glider pilot with low hours who wants to improve skills but is some what intimidated by the strange complexities of soaring and especially X-country. I was thinking of going to Minden to sort of jump start my soaring post test, but I wonder if my skill level is still too low to really benefit. jackAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12083186.post-77913070574942713652007-09-10T13:21:00.000-07:002007-09-10T13:21:00.000-07:00Roger,Interesting write up. Brings the reality of ...Roger,<BR/>Interesting write up. Brings the reality of cross country for a beginner into perspective. I have not yet gone beyond my airfield but would like to try something short when conditions are good. Maybe 20 nm out and then back if possible, or lucky enough. My club buddies are pushing me to go do a contest next year, but I need more experience. Keep up the good work, I check your postings from time to time. <BR/>Craig<BR/>ASW 15<BR/>FloridaAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09212775501784596386noreply@blogger.com