Landing with one spoiler

Originally Posted by Chris Rollings

4. Anybody know anyone who has had to land with both
brakes shut - in
a glider with more performance than a tin brick? I'd
be interested to
hear their stories.

Ray

November 1975, Aboyne, Kestrel 19. Tried to open the
brakes to descend from ~ 20,000 feet as cloud was closing
in below. Brakes wouldn't open (cold had caused over
centre lock to become unbreakably tight). Lowered flap
and undercarraige and spiraled down. Entered cloud
at 5,000 feet, got spat out the bottom at 2,000 about
30 seconds later (had been in the down of the wave),
about ten miles from Aboyne. Brakes still wouldn't
open. Did a side-slip approach into a field about
200 yards square, approached on a corner to corner
line (about 300 yards available), surface wind was
about 20 - 25 knots. Wheeled it on, still no brakes
and the wheel brake is on the end of the airbrake travel,
tried the tailchute in the flare, that didn't work
either. Put the stick forward and ground looped just
before the far corner. Opened my eyes again, expecting
to see the back end of the glider lying on the ground
in front of me. Turned out there was no damage. You
can get away with it, but I wouldn't want to try it
with no wind. Exciting way to get a Diamond Height.

I don't think I would want to own an ASW 12.

This thread is surprising me. Do we get tested how to stop a vehicle without brakes? Are we asked to get a vehicle to the top of a hill with no engine running?
Surely if there is a control surface malfunction it should be treated as an EMERGENCY and dealt with accordingly -not practiced! Many more pilots have left the earth with a canopy unlatched than had to land with faulty spoilers, did the FAA ask CFIs to do a lap with no canopy?
C'mon, guys, the stories are great, but be serious, as a newbie (19 years flying) surely, to keep pilots keen, spin and rope break emergencies are enough sweat on the brow.

Safe as always.

Wayne