Today's topic could be called "What's next?" I suspect some may interpret that as "Now what?" Our new Flight Rules refer to the ABC, Bronze program as pre cross country requirements. I am in the process of getting a list of our member's SSA awards. Arleen Coleson (The Badge Lady) is sending me a list of the achievements of our members. This will take a little time as Arlene's data base and the SSA membership data base are different and some hand comparing will be required. Then I will be able to have a good starting place as we all work on these goals. I didn't remember what I had. She informed me that I have a "B". So I have things to do also! She also told me how I can get a non SSA instructor to administer things for me, such as the Bronze exam, which I will need. I had some other questions for Arlene on such things as what exactly is the "Qualifying" flight, what exactly does the 6 months requirement apply to, and if the Bronze flights need to be solo. She referred some of these questions to Billy Singleton and I have not received his response.

I included an ABC, Bronze handout with the safety seminar stuff this spring. This lists in detail the requirements for each award. I will be using them as a guide for each member's achievements and creating a file for reference. I suggest you review those requirements and research your logs for the dates of various flights that might apply. We can start doing

the various simulated off field with no altimeter accuracy landings on a regular basis during normal operations. We can also observe the required solo accuracy landings, if we have the presence of mind to arrange to do it! We have agreed that the ABC, Bronze program will become a part of our club culture. Now we need to start implementing that agreement.

Jaime Alexander
Flight Officer

If you are gliding in the blanik at 50 knots, at a glide ratio of 23:1 (it's dirty), what is your glide ratio in a 20 knot headwind?
At what altitude will you need to be 4 miles from the airport if you want to enter a normal downwind(1000ft)?

The answer can be found in the Soaring Flight Manual.
For the first part, Your glide ratio over the ground is found by dividing your groundspeed by your airspeed, then multiplying that by your glide ratio.

Groundspeed/Airspeed*glideratio
30/50*23 or 3/5*23
approx 13:1 (yikes!)

The second part can be estimated by dividing 24000 feet (4 miles) by 13 which comes out to about 2000 feet (ok, if you want to get precise, in 24304 feet you'll lose 1870 feet). So you would have to be above 3000 agl (remember, we wanted to arrive at 1000 feet) 4 miles from the airport.

Now can you see why it's so important to stay upwind of the airport?