Introduction to Glider Flying > Introduction to Glider Flying > The Decision-Making Process > Choosing a Course of Action

After the problem has been identified, you must evaluate the need to react to it and determine the actions that need to be taken to resolve the situa-tion in the time available. The expected outcome of each possible action should be considered and the risks assessed before you decide on a response to the situation.

Your first thought was to try to thermal back up to buy yourself some time and see if you could get

Figure 1-3. The DECIDE model can provide a framework for effective decision making.

the landing gear freed. After weighing the conse-quences of not finding lift and not focusing on fly-ing the glider, you realize your only course is to make a gear-up landing. You plan to land on the grass runway to the east of the paved runway to avoid causing extensive damage to your glider and allow for a softer touchdown.