Pursuing Diamonds
02/14/07
As 2006 came to a close, I began my budgeting process for 2007. While comparing my planned verses actual expenses for the year, soaring and vacation expenses caught my eye. As I researched the expenses, I decided to write an article detailing the cost of pursuing my last two badges.
The intent of this article is to give actual dollar expenses, vacation time, and days away from home associated with achieving my Gold and Diamond Badges. This will help you talk with your spouse or significant other about the cost of achieving your dreams.
My journey started after Nyal Williams gave me my first glider instructional flight in April 2004. At the end of the day, he talked with me about the SSA ABC badge program. Being the goal oriented person that I am, my sight was set on diamonds.
The FAI Gold Badge involves two required elements. Gold Altitude is a 3,000-meter (9,843-foot) altitude gain above an in-flight low point; Gold Distance is a 300-km (186.42-mile) cross country flight.
The FAI Diamond Badge involves three required elements. Diamond Altitude is a 5,000-meter (16,404-foot) altitude gain above an in-flight low point; Diamond Goal is a 300-km (186.42-mile) cross country flight using a pre-declared Out and Return or Triangle course; Diamond Distance is a 500-km (310.7-mile) cross country flight.
I had been flying power aircraft for 27 years when I began
my soaring career.
I held a commercial
My first year in soaring was 2004. During which, I achieved my A, B, C and Bronze badges. For required elements for all badges, see the SSA link located at the end
of this article. At the start of my second year of soaring, I had
my commercial glider rating and owned an ASW-15. Up to this point, I was honing my soaring
skills and reading everything I could about cross-country flying. The plan for 2005 was for Nyal
Williams and me to tow our sailplanes to
Based on my limited experience, I would recommend the following before attempting cross-country flights:
- Understand cross-country flying.
- Read as many publications about cross-country flying as you can.
- Talk to experienced cross-country pilots and ask a lot of questions about their experiences and opinions on cross-country flying.
- Fly dual with an experienced cross-country pilot or have an experienced cross-country pilot (in their own sailplane) fly with you on a few cross-countries.
- Have a few 100 mile flights under your belt before heading out on longer
cross-countries. Aside from the flying experience, you will learn about staying hydrated, eating properly and relieving yourself. This will be very handy on your long badge flights.
- Practice for off field landings. You need the absolute confidence that you will
be able to handle all possible off field landings scenarios.
- Understand your oxygen, flight director and navigation systems. You dont have time to
learn this on your badge attempts.
- Know how to use the flight data logger and associated software. You should declare
every flight you fly. Work out the bugs before the badge flights. Repeating a flight will be frustrating and expensive. Make sure to use the software that comes with your logger to download traces. Other software packages may modify, add or delete data. If this happens, the trace will be rejected, which, in turn, means no validation of your badge flight. Since I never used the barograph or photo method, I recommend you get with a person that is experienced in these areas.
- SeeYou software or something like it
- This greatly simplifies applying for badges. You should review your
traces before submission. This will save you and the Badge Lady
a lot of time. It can and should be used as a training tool to improve
your flying skills.
- Know the badge requirements. I worried for six weeks while waiting for my Diamond
distance trace to be validated. I released on the opposite side of the airport from the
observation zone, climbed to altitude, and then swung around the airport to start my
task. This brought the 1% rule into the mix. When possible, you should release within
the observation zone.
- Fill out and submit Badge/State record paperwork. Filling out the paperwork, getting
the correct signatures, and downloading the traces were the most difficult part of badge
flying for me. I think you should apply for every SSA badge and state record possible.
With the guidance of
our state record keeper (Darren Bedwell), I set four
soaring records on my third cross-country flight. Had it not been for his encouragement,
I would never have applied. Its worth the paperwork.
- Plan, plan and plan (this will eliminate problems later)
- Trip planning
- Flight planning
- Clothes (essential for your high altitude and long flights)
- Paperwork, checklist, emergency contacts
With four cross-country flights under my belt and a lot of enthusiasm, it was time to
begin my first soaring vacation to
include: all travel, hotel, food and miscellaneous expense. The miscellaneous category
includes: special clothing, charts, snacks, oxygen refills, training flights and instruction (Caracole Soaring) and soaring souvenirs.
My first trip was to Sundance Aviation in
Badge flight date =
- Silver Duration
- Gold Distance
- Diamond Goal (if you plan your 300k correctly, you can get both with one flight)
* This flight completed my Silver Badge.
Me and my ASW-15 / Nyal and his Discus
June, 2005
My second trip was to Caracole Soaring in
Grob 103. I used eleven
days of vacation and had expenses totaling $2,543.19. I spent fourteen days away from home. Nyal and I shared
the cost of the hotel and rental car. I
made six flights for a total of 4+06 minutes.
We had one good wave day (
Badge flight date =
- Gold Altitude
- Diamond Altitude
* This flight completed my Gold badge.
Ready for my high altitude flight
Caracole Soaring,
March, 2006
My third trip was back to Sundance Aviation in
Badge flight date =
- Diamond Distance
* This flight completed my Diamond badge.
Me, Terry and Nyal after there 500k flights
June, 2006
Picture taken by Pete Detore
During these three badge vacations, I flew 15 flights for 30+55 minutes.
As for non-flying things you need .
- Goals (A goal is a dream with a date. I encourage everyone to write down your
dreams
..then
put a completion date on them.)
-
An understanding
spouse or significant other
-
Good planning
-
Help from Mother
Nature.
-
Vacation time
-
A good amount of
disposable income
Once again I want to thank Nyal
for sharing these wonderful experiences with me. Having a mentor and friend to share my
soaring adventures has been very special.
I want to thank my brother for lending me his van. I put over 6000 miles on his van towing my
ASW-15 to
Here are a few personal observations about obtaining my badges.
- The SSA badge program is well structured and well worth the effort.
- It would have been impossible without owning my own sailplane.
- Few commercial operations rent equipment for cross-country flights.
- Completing
my Gold and Diamond Altitude flights in
a significant problem.
- The thermals rarely build high enough for Gold Altitude.
- Completing
my Diamond Distance with my ASW-15 in
difficult.
-
This is due to the speed of the ASW-15 and the length
of the soaring day in
- Find a mentor.
-
I would not have made trips to
more experienced pilot with me. I recommend you hook up with an
experienced pilot if possible. Not only will you learn from him, but
he will help keep you out of trouble.
Summary
Vacation days used to achieve my Gold and Diamond badges ..24
Days away from home . .. 30
Cost of obtaining my Gold and Diamond badges .. . $5,100.22
Cost of buying my ASW-15 . $18,000.00
Pursuing your passions .. .. .Priceless
For 2007, Im going to concentrate on instructing. Ive passed the CFI-G knowledge tests. Next I plan to take my practical test at the beginning of the soaring season.
Blue Skies with scattered CU,
Diamond badge #970
Links
SSA badge requirements
- http://www.ssa.org/members/badgesandrecords/badges.asp
- www.centralindinasoarningsociety.org