After earning your P2 Rating

• Never stop learning

• As soon as you think you got it, your in trouble. Continue to build your skills with kiting, launching, turning, landing, and bringing the wing down softly.

• Take your time and enjoy each step slowly. Give yourself time to develop wisely. When considering learning a new skill, imagine it taking 2 years to get really good at that skill (circling, thermalling, wing-overs, spot landing, maneuvers).

• Critique each flight in your log book.

• Pick your mentors carefully. Many pilots with 1-2 years of experience may have developed some good skills and want to share everything with you. They also may be experiencing intermediate syndrome. Look to seasoned pilots with a good safety record for solid advice.

• Continue using your instructor as a resource.

• Look at where you trade safety for comfort: getting into your harness too early, landing in a small field near your car vs. a large field away from you car, not doing a thorough pre-flight, choosing light weight gear with little or no protection, etc.

• Get local knowledge when you explore new sites.

• Consider additional course work: Mountain clinic, Ridge soaring clinic, Thermal clinic, Maneuvers clinic, Additional one-on-one coaching with an instructor.

• Continue researching weather and fly in appropriate conditions for your skill level.

• Develop great pre-flights including assessing conditions, reading all of the site hazards before flying, 6 point check, reserve pin check, speed system connected.

• Bring food, water, a hat, charged radio, sunblock and your weather book to launch every time.

• Never be the first to launch.

• Ask pilots what they think of the air when you are on launch.

• Seek perfection when launching and landing. Make it smooth, controlled and committed.

• Have a flight plan and stick with it unless you get really high and can deviate safely from that plan. Have a reachable L.Z. in mind at all times.

• Keep good terrain clearance. Be very careful about doing 360s too close to terrain.

• The closer you are to the ground, the more directly into the wind you want your glider to be.

• Get ready early on launch and then be patient for the appropriate conditions.

• Don't jump into mid-day thermic conditions.

• Choose an appropriate glider for your skill level.

• Develop smooth flight characteristics.

• Learn more first aid.

• Get your HAMM license.

• Pack your reserve and have your wing inspected once a year.

• Be very aware of all the pilots in the air with you by continuously looking around.

• Communicate your presence by yelling clear, launching, on your right, etc.

• Listen to yourself. If it doesn't feel right, don't push it.