How Low to Spin??

"Ian Johnston" wrote in message news:cCUlhtvFIYkV-pn2-uRi7CmzCveOr@localhost...
On Tue, 31 Aug 2004 18:19:55 UTC, (Tom Seim)
wrote:

: 2. An immediate check of each control linkage after hookup.

Which I always get someone else to do.

I have mixed feelings about this. Nobody knows your glider as well as
you do (save, perhaps, by someone flying-or flown-the identical
model). I certainly am not going to trust my life to someone who is
unfamiliar with my glider.

Additionally, flying a motorglider, I am often times the only one at
the airport, so I have to do the complete assembly unaided.

It wouldn't hurt to have someone else review the assembled glider
after you had done all of your own checks, however.

BTW: I check my Hottellier connections by simultaneously pressing on
the release plunger and pulling on the rod. Of course, the connection
has to be safetied first. I know of accidents where the connection was
only part way on, passed a PCC, only to come off in (attempted)
flight.

Tom

On Wed, 1 Sep 2004 17:35:06 UTC, (Tom Seim)
wrote:

: "Ian Johnston" wrote in message news:cCUlhtvFIYkV-pn2-uRi7CmzCveOr@localhost...
: On Tue, 31 Aug 2004 18:19:55 UTC, (Tom Seim)
: wrote:
:
: : 2. An immediate check of each control linkage after hookup.
:
: Which I always get someone else to do.
:
: I have mixed feelings about this. Nobody knows your glider as well as
: you do (save, perhaps, by someone flying-or flown-the identical
: model).

That's a good point. But all I ask them to do is check the six control
connections, and I tell them exactly what to look for: can you feel
the pin sticking out there? can you see that the clip is on there? and
so on. Sure, if I don't say it won't be checked, but I find it helps
concentrate my mind on what needs done. And, on the topic of this
thread, I do have a printed checklist, but only for other people. I
reckon that if I don't know what needs done to rig such a simple
glider I shouldn't be flying it. I expect opinions will vary on that
...

Ian