In article ,
Kirk Stant wrote:
(Mark James Boyd) wrote in message news:412fa9ba$1@darkstar...
Kirk Stant wrote:

1) If they ain't locked for takeoff, a gnarly pio

1. Use a checklist. Oh, and why is the tow pilot fanning his rudder
at me?

LOL! "use a checklist."
Kind of covers everything, huh?

"Oh yeah? He had an accident? I bet he
didn't use the checklist!"

So Mark, you don't use any checklist before taking off? Yeah right,
bull****. What is it, not macho enough for you?

Kirk. I am very sorry that this appeared to be a condemnation of
checklists. It was not, and in fact my intetion was to strongly
support the significance of what you and others have stated. The
elevator connection on preflight, and the dive brakes closed, as you
mention, are very important.

I was simply pointing out that the bland assertion that one should
"use a checklist" can actually cause an accident. If the pilot
now uses that to (wrongly) make a checklist which is very long and
does not prioritize the importance of the items, it can cause
fatigue and inattention.

So yes, I certainly use a checklist, but I ALWAYS use a
prioritized checklist. And I teach students how to make a custom
prioritized checklist for a new aircraft by looking at the
accident reports and starting with that.

Again, Kirk, I apologise if this seemed offensive. I was
only wanting to gently steer us into a more detailed discussion.

I use CBSIFTCBE (instead of the useless SSA ABCCCDDEEEEFGHHHwhatever)
RELIGIOUSLY before every takeoff. It's as sacred as the old GUMP
checklist. No paper required, only need one brain cell awake to run
it. And even with that, I've managed to get airborne twice with my
spoilers unlocked - in an LS4 and my current LS6. Both due to
interrupted/rushed launches. No big deal, the tow didn't even notice
(because LS brakes don't suck open, they just stay cracked) the
decreased climb rate. I caught them both below 100', closed the
boards, swore a bunch, then went on to convincingly blow the task of
the day.

So CBSIFTCBE. Ok, what are the top 3? Is spoilers locked one
of the top 3 for you? I'm just saying put that one as the FIRST
item, instead of elsewhere if a) it is the number one checklist item
cause of fatal accidents in the type of glider you fly where you fly it
and b) if it is something that you tend to miss more often than other
items. At Truckee, maybe the low rope break briefing is more
important than the trim set. In the PW-5 at Avenal, maybe the
spoilers locked is more important than the emerg. brief. If
the student often reaches out to close the vent on takeoff and this
makes a PIO, then for him, maybe the vent closed for takeoff is the
number one item.

I simply do not believe that there is a correct ordering, or a
correct checklist that can work for all gliderports and all pilots
and all aircraft. I strongly believe in prioritized, personal
checklists. The checklist, and the process to make it, are
really important.

Seriously, if your students aren't going through a "last chance" check
before commiting to takeoff, they have really bad instructors, to say
the least. And that is "using a checklist". And it will usually
prevent brainfade idiotic accidents from happening. Usually.

I agree with you Kirk, just in a little more detail...ok?
Thanks for the responses...and again sorry if it looked like
I was pickin' on you...
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Mark Boyd
Avenal, California, USA