Wingrunner Checklist

On 3/5/2013 8:47 AM, Clay wrote:
I thought all this was the pilot's responsibility. I don't want someone
blaming the wing runner if I take off with my canopy unlatched or tail
dolly on and something happens. No harm in wingrunner checking these
things but it is not their primary responsibility.


I know it's still winter in the northern hemisphere, and, that we're
discussing a perhaps fine point, but "I'm pretty much in Clay's camp" insofar
as primary (key word) responsibilities go...with the exception of the pattern.

Because Joe Glider Pilot doesn't fully control all that goes on between
pushout/pilot-installation in the cockpit/pilot-readiness, "by definition"
s/he isn't in the best position to "have up-to-date knowledge" of what's going
on in the pattern behind the glider.

When I run wings, I "naturally" check everything I can (on tug/rope/glider) to
the best of my ability, but I've long considered it MY primary responsibility
to "clear the pattern" prior to giving the thumbs up to the glider pilot (the
signal at our field it's OK for JGP to signal the wingrunner that JGP is ready
to raise the wingtip to level & launch).

As Joe Glider Pilot, my hope is (& I do try to be aware of this aspect of the
wingrunner's actions) my wingrunner has "the pattern aspect" adequately sussed
out. Responsibility for "everything else" glider-related associated with the
launch is mine.

A properly handled preparation for a wing-run glider launch is a dance of
beauty, with much happening "not in obvious sight"...

Bob W.