On Saturday, June 22, 2013 5:50:18 PM UTC-6, Chris Nicholas wrote:
Bill, I entirely agree that it is not the only factor - we have

identified 6 factors as the most notable circumstances, of which

belly hooks are one. It is a fact that the first such UK fatality was

with a belly hook (and also turbulence, and probably

recency/currency, were others in that case).



Dan’s point AIUI was you only have to fly the glider. My main point

was too many people didn’t, and over here at least are starting not

to again. Another of my points is that by education and supervision,

we are trying to address the re-emergence of the issue.



Our policy is that you should not have more than two, if that, of the

factors present on any one launch. Had that been known, adopted

and followed, the first such fatality would probably not have

happened.



By the way, another factor not in the list of 6 is distraction, which

has emerged recently in incident reports.



Regards - Chris

Maybe this will help.

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/...ng%20Guide.pdf

Aero tow is just not an inherently safe procedure and pilots need to understand that. Of course, winch launch isn't inherently safe either but at least they don't kill a tow pilot.