In June 1999 I was asked to keep a web-site diary of my journey through pilot training. Solo status did eventually come in February 2000 and I am deeply grateful to the many Burn instructors who freely gave their time to make this possible and opened up an aviation world for me that is safe, affordable and full of endless challenge.

As a result of the Club’s web site many new pilots have found their way to Burn airfield. It was encouraging that many found the diary to be informative providing them with a first hand account of life as a student pilot. As a result I have been asked to add a further entry exploring the world of a newly soloed pilot. Solo is the first of many steps and I strongly agree with Derek Piggott when he suggests that pilots should ‘Try to avoid any break in your flying once you have soloed…’ (Piggott, D., 1997, p.89). Continued practice and critical feedback from instructors combine to aid competent pilot performance. Attendance at theory classes, in the winter months, gives the opportunity to revise and acquire new knowledge and benefit from their experiences. It is important that solo pilots, of whatever level, continue to fly with instructors from time to time for their progress to be checked. As skills develop you will progress onto higher performance, single-seater gliders. As experience builds you will be allowed to fly in progressively challenging meteorological conditions including stronger winds and cross winds. Each step forward is discussed and monitored by one of the instructor team. Any shortcomings are identified and corrected with the emphasis always on safety. As your experience mounts, you approach the Bronze C award’s minimum of 50 solo flights.

Having reached this goal, it is a natural challenge to want to fly "cross country" and it is the Bronze C Cross Country Endorsement which underpins this challenge. You must now achieve two half-hour soaring flights and pass a Bronze theory paper covering subjects such as Air Law, Meteorology, Human Performance, Airframes and Technical, and Navigation. Once completed a pilot will then attempt the endorsement for cross-country flying. The Cross Country Endorsement requires the pilot to achieve one soaring flight of an hours duration and one other of at least two hours. Finally, your skills will be put to the test in a motor glider with the instructor requiring you to demonstrate your ability in navigation, field selection, and circuit planning away from the airfield.

So now I was ready to test my flying skills by aiming for the coveted Silver ‘C’ award. I must emphasise that this decision to venture forth is the pilot’s, and only the pilot’s. Although encouragement and training are readily offered, no pressure whatsoever is placed on a pilot to do anything for which they are not competent and confident to attempt.

It is very important that you feel comfortable, and well prepared before attempting a trip beyond gliding range of your home airfield, and especially your first 50km journey. The glider used for this attempt was a