with procedures for towing and backing a long trailer. The  tow vehicle should be strong and stable enough for towing.  Both radio and telephone communication options should be  discussed with the retrieval crew. Being better organized before the flight leads to less stress  during the flight, enhancing flight safety. Many items not required for local soaring are needed for  cross-country flights. Pilot comfort and physiology is even  more important on cross-country flights since these flights  often last longer than local flights. An adequate supply of  drinking water is essential to avoid dehydration. Many pilots  use the backpack drinking system with readily accessible  hose and bite valve that is often used by bicyclists. This  system is easily stowed beside the pilot, allowing frequent  sips of water. A relief system also may be needed on longer  flights. Cross-country flights can last up to 8 hours or more,  so food of some kind is also a good idea. Before any flight, obtain a standard briefing and a soaring  forecast from the Automated Flight Service Station (AFSS).  As discussed in Chapter 9, Soaring Weather, the briefer  supplies general weather information for the planned route,  as well as any NOTAMs, AIRMETs, or SIGMETs, winds  aloft, an approaching front, or areas of likely thunderstorm  activity. Depending on the weather outlook, beginners may  find it useful to discuss options with more experienced cross- country pilots at their soaring site. Many pilots have specific goals in mind for their next cross- country flight. Several options should be planned ahead based  on the area and different weather scenarios. For instance, if  the goal is a closed-course 300 nautical mile (NM) flight,  several likely out-and-return or triangle courses should be  laid out ahead of time, so that on the specific day, the best  task can be selected based on the weather outlook. There are  numerous final details that need attention on the morning of  the flight, so special items should be organized and readied  the day before the flight. Several items should be carried in case there is an off-field  landing. (For more details, see Chapter 8, Abnormal and  Emergency Procedures.) First, a system for securing the  glider is necessary, as is a land-out kit for the pilot. The  kit varies depending on the population density and climate  of the soaring area. For instance, in the Great Basin in the  United States, a safe landing site may be many miles from the  nearest road or ranch house. Since weather is often hot and  dry during the soaring season, extra water and food should  be added items. Taking good walking shoes is a good idea  as well. A cell phone may prove useful for landouts in areas  with some telephone coverage. Some pilots elect to carry an  Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) in  remote areas in case of mishap during an off-field landing. Lack of preparation can lead to delays, which may mean not  enough of the soaring day is left to accomplish the planned  flight. Even worse, poor planning leads to hasty last-minute  preparation and a rush to launch, making it easy to miss  critical safety items. Cross-country soaring requires some means of measuring  distances to calculate glides to the next source of lift or the  next suitable landing area. Distances can be measured using  a sectional chart and navigational plotter with the appropriate  scale, or by use of Global Positioning System (GPS). If GPS  is used, a sectional and plotter should be carried as a backup.  A plotter may be made of clear plastic with a straight edge  on the bottom marked with nautical or statute miles for a  sectional scale on one side and World Aeronautical Chart  (WAC) scale on the other. On the top of the plotter is a  protractor or semicircle with degrees marked for measuring  course angles. A small reference index hole is located in the  center of the semicircle.  [Figure 11-2]  Prior to taking off,  it may be handy to prepare a plotter for the specific glider’s  performance by applying some transparent tape over the  plotter marked with altitudes versus range rings in still air.  After a little use, the glider pilot should gain a perception of  the glide angle most often evident in the conditions of the day. Inexperienced and experienced pilots alike should use  checklists for various phases of the cross-country preparation  in order to organize details. When properly used, checklists  can help avoid oversights, such as sectionals left at home,  barograph not turned on before takeoff, etc. Checklists also  aid in making certain that safety of flight items, such as all  assembly items, are checked or accomplished, oxygen turned  on, drinking water is in the glider, etc. Examples of checklists  include the following: Glide calculations must take into account any headwind or  tailwind, as well as speeds to fly through varying sink rates  as discussed in chapter 5. Tools range widely in their level  11-3 •  Items to take to the gliderport (food, water, battery,  charts, barograph). •  Assembly must follow the Glider Flight Manual/ Pilot’s Operating Handbook (GFM/POH) and add  items as needed. •  Positive control check. •  Prelaunch (water, food, charts, glide calculator,  oxygen on, sunscreen, cell phone). •  Pretakeoff checklist itself. •  Briefing checklist for tow pilot, ground crew, and  retrieval crew. Personal and Special Equipment