Winch launch procedure and accidents

On Sep 5, 10:02 am, Tom Gardner <tgg...@> wrote:
....
> The rule can be good even if it is mindlessly followed. Most
> of the time I mindlessly follow the rule to drive on the left side
> of the road :)

Hopefully, you convert mindfully when you are driving somewhere that
uses the right hand side of the road :-)

Todd
3S

On Sep 5, 3:44 pm, toad <toads...@mac.com> wrote:
> On Sep 5, 10:02 am, Tom Gardner <tgg...@> wrote:
> ...
>
> > The rule can be good even if it is mindlessly followed. Most
> > of the time I mindlessly follow the rule to drive on the left side
> > of the road :)
>
> Hopefully, you convert mindfully when you are driving somewhere that
> uses the right hand side of the road :-)

No problems, except when in carparks, petrol stations, and
when emerging from them onto the road. It also helps if the
steering wheel is on the appropriate side of the car.

OTOH, "right" and "left" have to be replaced by "your way" and
"my way" since there is a demanding feeling that "turn right"
means "turn across oncoming traffic". Surprisingly, I'm not the
only person with those neurons in a twist!

On 5 Sep, 15:02, Tom Gardner <tgg...@> wrote:
> On Sep 5, 2:40 pm, Ian <ian.gro...@> wrote:

> > Agreed - as long as the ground crew (signaller, driver, anyone else
> > involved at the site in question) are also ready to go.
>
> If anyone isn't ready to go, then the launch doesn't start.

Indeed. Which gibves the pilot fiddling time ...

> > How long a delay? Ten seconds? Twenty? A minute?
>
> Reasonable question. I would have thought that there was
> no single correct answer and doesn't need to be;
> judgement is required from everybody.

Then you and up with a non-launching glider on a cable, the pilot
getting distracted, the signaller seeing an opportunity for a quick
launch and ... bang.

Actually, I agree with you. I just think that the pilot should
retain / have retained control.

> > What if the ground is muddy and the pilot doesn't
> > want to make someone grovel in the mud
> > again to reattach?
>
> The pilot is a twit if they let that sway a safety decision.

Might it not alter the judgment (see above) about how long to delay
pulling the bung?

> > Yes, in an ideal world we could hook up and go. I just think the final
> > word on whether to start the launch should rest with the pilot in
> > charge ...
>
> Nope, it rests with everybody involved in the launch, in that all
> must be happy before proceeding.

Lots of people have input - your point about the check behind is very
good - but only one person can ever have a final word about anything.

> > I don't agree. No rules which are followed mindlessly are good.
>
> The rule can be good even if it is mindlessly followed. Most
> of the time I mindlessly follow the rule to drive on the left side
> of the road :)

Even if you meet approaching walkers ...?

Ian

> I do take my hand off the release towards the end of> the ground run.>Why=

>>> You
>>> have one hand on the stick and the other holds the release. You will
>>> not have time to go feeling for the release if you need it.
>
> That's my opinion, too.

That *used* to be my opinion. What changed it was hitting a severe bump
and watching the end of the rope continue without me. Now, I keep my
left hand *very* close to the release handle. No groping needed at all
should you need to release.

Tony V.

Must say that once the cable is attached to my glider, I'm acutely
aware that the other end is connected to a 300 hp V8 engine. I don't
let go of the release for any reason, nor do I stop scanning sky and
ground for potential conflicts. This continues until either the launch
starts or someone shouts "release". If something spooks me, I drop the
cable myself.

At our club, the guy on the lights/radio is usually an instructor and
if not, a cool-headed, experienced individual. We also make sure the
wing runners know about the "running" part. In at least two of the
aerotow ground loops I saw in August (none of which occured at my home
club) the primary cause was the wing runner, well, not running. In
fact one guy was wearing flip flops which of course fell off, and he
stopped.

Dan

On Sep 5, 5:30 pm, "Jim Vincent" <gapa...@> wrote:
> The issue might not be violence, per se, but more the quick acceleration of
> the launch compresses the seat pillow, moving the pilot back. Unless you're
> on the ball, this can lead to unintended pull back on the stick. If your
> hand is on the release, you might release by mistake. I prefer to keep my
> knuckles on the release so I can easily reach it.

Wrong kind of seat cushion?

John Smith wrote:


> You've obviously never been winch launched in a Junior. Forget to really
> (I mean, *really*) thighten the harness, and you will slide back and
> barely be able to push the stick forward.

Does your seat have a back?

We have blocks of wood you can bolt to the rudder pedals, if that will help.

Jack