Winch Signals

The BGA Operational Regulations, Section 5 state the following (slightly
paraphrased to keep it short):

5.5 An adequate system of communication must exist between the person in
charge of launching and the winch or tow-car driver or tug pilot.

5.6 One of the following procedures must be used for all launches, other
than bungey launches, unless a serviceable telephone or radio system is
installed between the person in charge of the glider end of the cable and
the winch or car driver or tug pilot.

ONE BAT METHOD Bats to be easily visible at the distance required:
a) Take up slack: One bat moved to and fro in front of the body
b) All out: One bat moved to and fro above the head.
c) Stop: One bat held stationary, vertically above the head.

TWO BAT METHOD
a) Take up slack: One bat moved up and down
b) All out: Two bats moved up and down
c) Stop: Two bats held vertically above the head.

LIGHT METHOD:
a) Take up slack: Dashes of one second duration and three seconds
interval
b) All out: Quick dots at one second intervals
c) Stop: Steady light. Light may not be red or green.

5.7 When telephonic or radio signalling is used, means must exist for an
emergency stop signal which can be received, notwithstanding the noise of
the engine.

The lights requirement for winch launching exists because you are
generally too far away for bats to be effective (OK for car launching),
and because of the requirements of section 5.7.

Derek Copeland

At 17:30 13 April 2009, John Roche-Kelly wrote:
My understanding is that the BGA recommends lights, but with
radio back-up.
As well as being noise independent lights require only one
power source whereas radios require two, one at each end!


At 12:13 13 April 2009, The Real Doctor wrote:
On 13 Apr, 02:00, Del C wrote:
The reason that the UK BGA insists on light signals (or bats)
is
the same reason as the German LBA insists on lineline
telephones: That
is
they are not prone to interference, or calls being blocked
out by other
users.

Since when has the BGA insisted on lights?

Ian

Best wishes

JohnR-K