At 17:34 08 October 2013, Bill D wrote:
On Monday, October 7, 2013 2:24:08 AM UTC-6, Don Johnstone wrote:
OK, try sitting in a Schemp Hirth or even and ASW 17/19/20 with the
stick
full to the left and try finding the release knob if you do not
actually
have your hand on it. The time you have to realise you have a problem
and
react is very short, trying to find the release will take longer than
the
time you have.

If reaching the release is difficult, it gets an extension installed
ASAP.
=
(That a minor modification not requiring paperwork.) The really bonehead
a=
ction is to continue flying a glider where the pilot can't reach the
releas=
e. does that idea actually occur to anyone in the UK?


I wish it were that simple. A change of this nature, to a critical control,
requires approval from EASA which in turn requires the TC Holder to
approve.
In all the gliders I fly I use a paracord loop which I loop round my wrist
and the release knob. As it is a modification to my hand it does not
require EASA approval.
I am not going to bother answering the rest of your points, I feel you have
proved your ignorance sufficiently.
As far as the UK is concerned starting a winch launch with the hand on the
release is not optional. As I have said before doing it can save your life,
it is a complete no brainer.