Winch Launch Fatality

AOA INDICATORS
Quotes from earlier in this thread...
"However, I think significantly fewer accidents would
have happened if angle of attack indicators were universally
installed."

"As for an AOA indicator, you're damn right I'd be looking at it -
and flying a much safer recovery as a result."

What additional benefit would an AOA indicator give over deciding on an
appropriate approach speed before the launch starts and maintaining it,
once attained, after a launch failure by monitoring the airspeed indicator
frequently?
An AOA indicator might just be a distraction!

180 DEGREE TURNS.
As pointed by others a 180 turn does not line one up with the runway so
unless its a very large airfield additional manoeuvring is required which
makes it more complex than at first sight. It is also more likely to put
a glider into conflict with landing traffic. It is also quite difficult
to avoid landing long if there is a tail-wind component which may tend to
make pilots fly more slowly downwind!!
The case for a 180 turn after a winch launch failure is very weak.

HAND ON RELEASE
"First, we're really only talking about an aero tow ground roll. Once
airborne in turbulent air, keeping a death grip on the release isn't a
good idea."

The hand should be touching the release (not holding it) during the early
part of the launch so that one can easily grip it properly and pull it
without having to look for it. Holding it firmly is likely to create
additional risks due to premature releases.

So when is it safe to stop touching it?
On aerotow probably above 800' - 1000' when the risk of killing the tug
pilot if you inadvertently get too high is reducing. "airborne in
turbulent air" is one of those situations when you may get out of
position - so keep your hand just touching it.

On a winch launch you will need to use the release in little over a minute
after the launch commences - why not continue to touch it all the way?

Flapped gliders where the setting needs to be changed from negative during
the ground run are an interesting case. Starting (aerotow) launches in
negative reduces the probability of a wing drop, but one's hand is in the
wrong place to react if it does. What is the best option for those guys?