On 6/19/2012 9:25 PM, Ben Brand wrote:
At 02:30 20 June 2012, Bill D wrote:
Tail dollies and wing wheels, once removed are placed to the side,
forward of the wing tip where the pilot can see it, but far enough
away that the wing runner will not trip over it.

YES! This is the way to do it. When the pilot gets to "Dolly" on the
checklist, a quick look to the side confirms it is off. It helps if
your dolly is a unique color not to be confused with another.

I'm new to gliding so excuse my ignorance, but shouldnt the D(olly) check
be done before you get into the plane or is there no standard on the ABCD
checks?
Rather than checking that the Dolly (or someone elses that looks like
yours) is on the grass to the side it would make more sense that you
confirm, regardless of whos Dolly it is... it isnt attached to the back of
your plane?


Ben,

Excellent question.

Since others have already noted situations - and hence operations - vary
depending on lots of things (e.g. runway[s] layout[s], airfield traffic,
available help, etc., this seems a good place to encourage you to visit other
glider operations every excuse you get. It's fun and you'll learn lots.

You'll definitely see lots of variations on 'things.'

Don't assume different ways of skinning cats are equally good! Keep asking,
"Why?" until your rational sense understands the answers...some of which may
surprise you, and not in good ways. (F'r'example "We've always done it this
way," may be accurate - and simultaneously promote procedurally-based accidents.)

Bob W.