tommytoyz wrote:
Nice production.

I hate to be a pooper of sorts, but I can't let go unmentioned a
dangerous practice that is seen to be deliberately done by pilots in
the video:

Taking off with a wing low.

This can put a glider on it's back, or nose straight down in a flash.
It is very dangerous and happens before the pilot can even react. Even
if he/she does reactr extremely quickly, it'll still put the glider
into the ground nose first at high speed. This has happened several
times and I saw a picture sequence of just that in Aerokurier years
ago.

In a cross wind, a launch should still be wings level - always. After
the glider is over the safety altitude, the pilot can correct for the
cross wind - not before. So as not to be distracted by


I also noticed the consistent series of tip drops: with so many launches
lowering the same tip it looks as if this was encouraged (or not
discouraged) by the duty instructors.

Despite what the OP said, that was NOT best practise. Keep the wings
level and use the rudder alone to keep straight. Could I suggest that
the clubs in question get copies of the BGA Instructor's Manual and/or
the winch safety leaflet and make sure that all instructors read it
before again acting as a winch launching P1?

See S&G for April/May 2006, p38 for reinforcement. It has pictures and
commentary of a tip touch with an ASK-13. The P1's glove slipped on the
release knob so it needed a second grab to release. The tip is still on
the ground after 1 second and the main wheel is just lifting off. After
2 seconds the glider is airborne and has swung 40 degrees. That's one
place I never want to be in.


--
martin@ | Martin Gregorie
gregorie. | Essex, UK
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