Vernon and 5Z,

The safety pins I was referring to look like this. http://aviation.derosaweb.net/wedeki.../safetypin.jpg. While mine were tied to something to prevent loosing them in the belly of the beast, they were a bear for me to install just by feel (at least for my level of dexterity).

The safety pins that you show on your ASW-20's might be a different solution to the issue covered in the AD. http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/5000/5700/5722/ad97-08-06_r1.pdf. Never seen them before. Were they home made? From Schleicher? Someone else?

Also, maybe the location of your fittings are more accessible in the 20. On the DG's two of the fittings are easy to get to (through a small white hole while looking into darkness against bright sunlight) while two of the fittings are totally buried, invisible, and are difficult to get to at the best of times.

I raise a glass to my next ship that will have automatic hookups!

My $0.02

- John