On 9/9/2011 8:00 AM, Dan Marotta wrote:


"Mark" wrote in message
...
If your airbrakes "suck open" after you are going faster than 25 knots
it will not warn you, just FYI...

It would work a tad better if the "spoiler open on tow" worked until
the first "gear up" condition before it reverted to the "spoiler
open / gear not down" mode.

If your spoilers "suck open" and you don't recognize it, you
shouldn't be flying.

I gotta say, that's a little harsh. I've had mine open twice, and
another time they were unlocked but I noticed it half way through the
tow before they opened. I did recognize it, but not right away. These
incidents happened over 3000 flight hours ago, and I had over 1500 hours
before any of them happened.

I know 13 (thirteen!) ASH 26 E pilots that have taken off with unlocked
spoilers that sucked open, and they did not notice it right away,
either. Every one of them was a very experienced pilot in airplanes,
gliders, or both. Most had at least 1000 glider hours, some were
competition pilots and National record holders, and all were competent
cross-country pilots whose names you often see on the OLC.

This illustrates what many have noticed: it isn't just the students, the
low-time pilots, or the poorly trained that can make mistakes. I do
think it's important how a pilot responds to prevent a problem from
recurring. All the pilots I've mentioned took steps to improve their
procedures, many also installed "Piggot Hook" devices and/or an
"unlocked spoiler" warning systems.

--
Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA (change ".netto" to ".us" to
email me)

- "A Guide to Self-launching Sailplane Operation Mar/2004" Much of what
you need to know tinyurl.com/yfs7tnz