Sail Plane
Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 13; Flight Crew Total 93; Flight Crew Type 7
Situational Awareness
Conflict NMAC; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Human Factors; Procedure
Local glider [operations]; light/no wind. Standard operations in such conditions are to take off and land in opposite directions. I made 3 MI/1;500 feet radio call for standard left pattern landing North. Visually observed [another] glider at South end of airfield 1;800 feet. I made pattern entry call at IP; left pattern; landing North. I performed checklist and lost sight of [him] while visually verifying check items. I verified runway was clear of gliders/tow plane and flew a standard downwind pattern for a long landing that would place me a few hundred feet from the take off point. At approximately mid field; 30 feet off the ground; I had spoilers closed and was using ground effect to extend glide to touch down point. I observed the [other glider] with spoilers open on opposite final approximately 500 feet distant and 150 feet above. I opened spoilers to full position and dropped to the runway steering to the left edge. [The other glider] closed spoilers and passed overhead. Both pilots reacted correctly after recognizing the situation. Both aircraft had safe landings with no damage. [The other glider] pilot had observed multiple take off and landings during the operating day and has [operated at field] for years with experience using opposite takeoff/landing patterns. It is unknown why he flew the South landing pattern.
Glider pilot reported an NMAC with another glider while landing at a private field.