[efm]

The pilot (or co-pilot), I don't recall, was also an Air Cadet at that airfield, which is how he knew that it was there, a good long strip, and well maintained.

[crystalmace]

Yes, and he was a glider pilot in the air cadet program which aided to his ability to properly land the plane without engines

[seanmcdirmid]

The pilot was a glider pilot, the first officer was an air cadet, and the field was already turned into a race track.