Some time ago, Tom Knauff issued a list of things that could go wrong
with an aerotow launch. He pointed out that most could be avoided by
somebody outside the glider noticing and drawing the attention of the
pilot etc. to the issue.

Checking that the spoilers are closed (Airbrakes in UK terminology,
for most gliders) is on the list.

It might help some people to look and check a bit better, so here is
the list. Feel free to let me know of anything else that might be
added to it.


I have added a few items to Tom’s list, including things specific to
car or winch launching. I hope Tom does not mind me publishing the
consolidated list here.

Items 1-41 are cribbed from From Thomas Knauff, well-known USA gliding
instructor and safety specialist


TAKEOFF EMERGENCIES

1. Rope Break.

2. Canopy not latched.

3. A control not connected.

4. Wing drop (groundloop).

5. Air brakes opening.

6. Flaps in wrong position.

7. Tow plane power failure.

8. Tow speed too slow or fast.

9. Being towed too far downwind.

10.Controls hooked up backwards.

11. Tire blow out.

12. Tow rope will not release.

13. Glider becomes too high.

14. Someone moves onto runway.

15. Tow rope catches on something at beginning of launch.

16. Slack rope / rope wrapping around glider.

17. Improperly installed component.

18. PIO.

19. Frozen controls.

20. Turbulence.

21. IMC

22. Inability to recover from low tow position.

23. Knot in rope.

24. Over running the tow rope.

25. Traffic conflict / mid-air collision.

26. Wing runner error.

27. Airspeed indicator not working.

28. Altimeter not adjusted properly.

29. Tail chute opens.

30. Water ballast disconnects and spills into cockpit.

31. Snake / Bee / Wasp in cockpit.

32. Unbalanced ballast in wings.

33. Seat belts undone.

34. Pitot / Static ports clogged.

35. Smoke in cockpit.

36. Panicky passenger.

37. Pillows / seat ballast moves

38. Controls restricted (control locks, rudder pedals too far
forward.)

39. Tail dolly on.

40. Canopy fogs up.

41. CG out of limits - maybe due to water or ice collected in the tail

42. Wing dolly on

Also:


Wing drop during take-off run.

Hazards within area that glider might swing into.

Confusion about which pilot is flying.

Trusting a friend who is “pilot flying”.

Over-reliance upon somebody else’s judgements/decisions/advice.


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Chris N