Wingrunner Checklist

On Tuesday, March 5, 2013 5:51:55 AM UTC-6, Jamie Shore wrote:
My club is considering implementing a wing runner checklist. The wing runner would perform this mental checklist at some point before they give the Begin Takeoff signal.



"CATP"



Canopy....CLOSED AND LOCKED (to the best of their judgement)

Airbrakes....CLOSED AND LOCKED (to the best of their judgement)

Taildolly.....REMOVED

Pattern.....CLEAR



A FEW QUESTIONS....

1. I heard about this at the 2012 SSA convention in Reno. Does anybody know which club has implemented the checklist?



2. Have any of you implemented this or a similar wingrunner checklist?



3. Pros & Cons?



Thanks,

Jamie Shore

As one who takes off with spoilers open -- spoilers either closed and locked, or all the way open. The trouble sign is spoilers cracked, but not all open. On fiberglass gliders (not blaniks) the spoilers will not stay open by themselves, so if they are open you know the pilot's hand is on the spoiler lever and it's intentional.

A checklist is a good idea. As others mentioned, the pattern need not be clear, but looking to see who is in the pattern where they are and helping to decide whether the tow can proceed, or needs to wait for the landing glider is important.

What's nice about this one is you proceed in a logical direction from front to back.

John cochrane