smaller area than would normally be considered. On landing, use short or soft field technique, as appropri- ate, for the site selected. A slightly higher-than-normal approach airspeed may be required to maintain ade- quate airflow over the rudder for proper yaw control. needed. In addition, you should always maintain an awareness of your surroundings and be constantly on the alert for suitable emergency landing sites. When an engine failure occurs at altitude, the first course of action is to adjust the gyroplane’s pitch atti- tude to achieve the best glide speed. This yields the most distance available for a given altitude, which in turn, allows for more possible landing sites. A common mistake when learning emergency procedures is attempting to stretch the glide by raising the nose, which instead results in a steep approach path at a slow airspeed and a high rate of descent. [Figure 21-3] Once you have attained best glide speed, scan the area within gliding distance for a suitable landing site. Remember to look behind the aircraft, as well as in front, making gentle turns, if necessary, to see around the airframe. When selecting a landing site, you must consider the wind direction and speed, the size of the landing site, obstructions to the approach, and the condition of the surface. A site that allows a landing into the wind and has a firm, smooth surface with no obstructions is the most desirable. When considering landing on a road, be alert for powerlines, signs, and automobile traffic. In many cases, an ideal site will not be available, and it will be necessary for you to evaluate your options and choose the best alternative. For example, if a steady wind will allow a touchdown with no ground roll, it may be acceptable to land in a softer field or in a On any flight not in the vicinity of an airport, it is highly advisable to prepare a survival kit with items that would be necessary in the event of an emergency. A properly equipped survival kit should be able to  provide you with sustenance, shelter, medical care, and a means to summon help without a great deal of effort on your part. An efficient way to organize your survival kit is to prepare a basic core of supplies that would be necessary for any emergency, and allow additional space for supplementary items appropriate for the  terrain and weather you expect for a particular flight. The basic items to form the basis of your survival kit would typically include: a first-aid kit and field  medical guide, a flashlight, water, a knife, matches, some type of shelter, and a signaling device. Additional items that may be added to meet the conditions, for example, would be a lifevest for a flight over water, or heavy clothing for a flight into cold weather. Another consideration is carrying a cellular phone. Several pilots have been rescued after calling someone to  indicate there had been an accident.  EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT AND SURVIVAL GEAR Figure 21-3. Any deviation from best glide speed will reduce the distance you can glide and may cause you to land short of a safe touchdown point. 21-4 B e s t G l i d e S p e e d T o o F a s t T o S l $_{o}$w