•  Improper procedure for touchdown/landing. •  Poor directional control during/after landing. •  Improper use of spoilers, air brakes or dive brakes. After Landing and Securing Downwind Landing Performance Maneuvers Straight Glides •  Improper glidepath control. •  Improper use of slips. •  Improper airspeed control. •  Improper correction for wind. •  Improper procedure for touchdown/landing. •  Poor directional control during/after landing. •  Improper use of wheel brakes. To perform a straight glide, the glider pilot must hold a  constant heading and airspeed. The heading reference should  be some prominent point in front of the glider on the ground.  The pilot also notes that, during a straight glide, each wingtip  should be an equal distance above the ground. With the wings  level, the pitch attitude is established with reference to a point  If the glider is to be disassembled and stored in a trailer, tow  the glider to the trailer area and align the fuselage with the  long axis of the trailer. Collect all tools and dollies required  to disassemble and stow the glider. Secure the trailer so  that loading the glider aboard does not move or upset the  trailer or trailer doors. Follow the disassembly checklist  in the GFM/POH. Stow the glider components securely in  the trailer. When the glider has been stowed and secured,  collect all tools and stow them properly. Close trailer doors  and hatches. Secure the trailer against wind and weather by  tying it down properly. Common errors during downwind landing include: After touchdown, use the wheel brake and all available  drag devices to reduce groundspeed and stop as soon as is  practical. This is necessary to maintain control of the glider.  Landing with a tail wind means a loss of control at a much  higher ground speed and requires more braking action. On downwind approaches, a shallower approach angle should  be used, depending on obstacles in the approach path. Use the  spoilers/dive brakes and perhaps a forward slip, as necessary,  to achieve the desired glidepath. If the glider is stored in a hangar, be careful while moving  the glider to avoid damaging it or other aircraft in the hangar.  Chock the main wheel and tailwheel of the glider when it is  in position in the hangar. If stored in a wings-level position,  put a wing stand under each wingtip. If stored with one wing  high, place a weight on the lowered wing to hold it down. A tailwind increases the touchdown groundspeed and  lengthens the landing roll. The increased distance for landing  can be determined by dividing the actual touchdown speed  by the normal touchdown speed, and squaring the result. For  example, if the tailwind is 10 knots and the normal touchdown  speed is 40 knots, the actual touchdown speed is 50 knots.  This touchdown speed is 25 percent higher than the normal  speed (10 divided by 40 = .25 × 100 = 25 percent), a factor  of 1.25. A factor of 1.25 squared is approximately 1.56;  the landing distance increases 56 percent over the normal  landing distance. When the glider has finished flying for the day, move it to  the tiedown area. Secure the glider in accordance with the  recommendation in the GFM/POH. The tiedown anchors  should be strong and secure. Apply external control locks  to the glider flight control surfaces. Control locks should be  large, well marked, and brightly painted. If a cover is used to  protect the pitot tube, the cover should be large and brightly  colored. If a canopy cover is used, secure it so that the canopy  cover does not scuff or scratch the canopy in windy conditions. Downwind landings present special hazards and should  be avoided when an into-the-wind landing is available.  However, factors like gliderport/airport design, obstacles,  or high terrain at one end of the runway, and runway slope  may dictate a downwind procedure takeoff and landing  procedures. Emergencies or a launch failure at low altitude  can also require a downwind landing. The pilot must use the  normal approach airspeed during a downwind landing. Any  airspeed in excess only causes the approach area and runway  needed for approach and landing to increase. After landing, move or taxi the glider clear of all runways. If  the glider is to be parked for a short interval between flights,  choose a spot that does not inconvenience other gliderport/ airport users. Protect the glider from wind by securing a  wingtip with a weight or by tying it down. Consult the  manufacturer’s handbook for the recommended methods  for securing the glider. Remember that even light winds  can cause gliders to move about, turn sideways, or cause  the higher wing in a parked glider to slam into the ground.  Because gliders are particularly vulnerable to wind effects,  the glider should be secured any time it is unattended. 7-27