GPC - Glider Pilot Certificate Cross-Country Flight and Navigation Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A glider pilot is on a cross-country flight and becomes disoriented after circling in a thermal for an extended period. They are unsure of their exact position. What is the most appropriate initial action?
- Immediately descend to a lower altitude to get a better view of ground features.
- Circle to conserve altitude, confess the situation to oneself, and then use prominent visual features to re-orient with the map. (Correct answer)
- Transmit a "PAN PAN" call on 121.5 MHz and wait for instructions.
- Begin flying a triangular pattern to signal distress to other aircraft.
Correct answer: Circle to conserve altitude, confess the situation to oneself, and then use prominent visual features to re-orient with the map.
The standard lost procedure is often remembered by the '5 Cs': Climb (or Conserve for gliders), Confess, Communicate, Comply, and Conserve fuel (not applicable to gliders). For a glider pilot, the priority is to conserve altitude by circling in neutral or rising air. The pilot should then admit they are lost and begin a systematic process of re-orientation by comparing prominent ground features like lakes, towns, and highways to their chart. Descending reduces options, and a PAN PAN call is premature before attempting to self-locate.
Question 2: When preparing a VFR Navigation Chart (VNC) for a cross-country glider flight, which of the following is a critical planning step unique to soaring?
- Identifying and circling potential safe land-out fields along the intended route. (Correct answer)
- Drawing a direct magnetic track line between the departure and destination airports.
- Calculating fuel consumption for each leg of the flight.
- Noting the frequencies for all Air Traffic Control centers en route.
Correct answer: Identifying and circling potential safe land-out fields along the intended route.
Unlike powered aircraft, gliders cannot simply fly to the nearest airport if they run out of lift. A key part of cross-country planning for glider pilots is pre-identifying and marking suitable fields for a safe off-airport landing (a 'land-out' or 'outlanding') along the entire route. This is a primary safety consideration.
Question 3: According to MacCready theory, if a pilot significantly increases their MacCready setting (e.g., from 2 knots to 6 knots), it implies they:
- are conserving energy due to weak lift conditions.
- have encountered strong sink and must fly slower.
- are flying in a competition and need to finish quickly.
- expect the next thermal to be much stronger and will fly faster between thermals. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: expect the next thermal to be much stronger and will fly faster between thermals.
MacCready theory provides the optimal speed to fly between thermals. The MacCready (MC) setting corresponds to the anticipated strength of the next thermal. A higher MC setting means the pilot expects a stronger climb, and therefore, should fly faster between thermals to minimize time spent in sinking air, optimizing overall cross-country speed.
Question 4: A pilot is on a final glide 25 NM from their destination. The glider has a still-air glide ratio of 50:1. The flight computer, accounting for a 15-knot headwind, indicates they will arrive with a 1,000-foot altitude deficit. What is the most appropriate action?
- Increase speed significantly above best glide to penetrate the headwind more effectively.
- Find another source of lift before committing to the final glide. (Correct answer)
- Continue on course, as the deficit is small and may be overcome by encountering patches of lift.
- Turn 90 degrees to the course to find better air.
Correct answer: Find another source of lift before committing to the final glide.
A calculated altitude deficit means the pilot will not reach the destination at the required altitude. Increasing speed into a headwind improves the groundspeed for a given sink rate but does not solve a fundamental altitude shortage; in fact, it steepens the glide angle. The only safe and correct action is to abandon the current final glide attempt and gain more altitude from another thermal or other source of lift.
Question 5: As per Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs), which documents must the pilot of a privately registered glider carry on board during a cross-country flight?
- Pilot licence with medical declaration, Certificate of Registration, Certificate of Airworthiness, and the Pilot Operating Handbook. (Correct answer)
- Pilot licence, medical certificate, and the aircraft's journey log book.
- Certificate of Registration, Certificate of Airworthiness, and proof of insurance.
- Photo ID, pilot licence, and a copy of the glider's annual inspection report.
Correct answer: Pilot licence with medical declaration, Certificate of Registration, Certificate of Airworthiness, and the Pilot Operating Handbook.
CARs require the pilot to carry their licence and medical certificate (or declaration). For the aircraft, the required documents to be carried on board are the Certificate of Registration (CAR 202.26), Certificate of Airworthiness, and the Pilot Operating Handbook/Aircraft Flight Manual (CAR 605.04). The journey log is not required to be on board for a domestic flight that plans to return to the point of departure. Proof of insurance must be available but is not required to be carried in the aircraft.
Question 6: When using a VFR Navigation Chart (VNC) for pilotage, which of the following features is MOST useful for a glider pilot to quickly and accurately confirm their position?
- Isogonic lines showing magnetic variation.
- Maximum Elevation Figures (MEFs) within a quadrangle.
- Distinctive patterns formed by intersecting railways, highways, rivers, or the unique shape of a lake. (Correct answer)
- The boundaries of remote Class G airspace.
Correct answer: Distinctive patterns formed by intersecting railways, highways, rivers, or the unique shape of a lake.
Pilotage is navigation by reference to visible landmarks. The most effective way to confirm a position is to identify a unique, unambiguous pattern on the ground and match it to the chart. Intersections of linear features like roads, rivers, and railways create such patterns, as do distinctively shaped lakes or towns. While MEFs and isogonic lines are crucial for planning, they are not used for in-flight visual position fixing.
GPC - Glider Pilot Certificate Cross-Country Flight and Navigation Questions and Answers
A glider pilot is on a cross-country flight and becomes disoriented after circling in a thermal for an extended period.
They are unsure of their exact position.
What is the most appropriate initial action?