Winch Launch Fatality

On Jun 23, 12:58*pm, bildan wrote:
On Jun 23, 10:10*am, T8 wrote:

On Jun 23, 11:14*am, Martin Gregorie
wrote:

Apart from anything else, your hand should be on the release knob during
the launch

This is surprising to me -- a non-winch-qualified pilot. *Do you do
the same for aero tow?

-T8

It's a good idea for aero tow. *We can all think of accidents where a
life would have been saved if the pilot had pulled the release before
becoming airborne. *It's not only where you put your hand, it's also a
mindset to pull off if something doesn't feel right.

For example, there are several accidents over the years where pilots
took off with disconnected controls. *It's much easier to tow a glider
back to the start line than sweep up the pieces.

There is one less Discus in the world because the pilot had his hand
on the release on a bumpy day. He "in-advertently" pulled the release
at low altitude and crashed into the trees. The pilot was not
injured, but the glider was totaled. If you want to keep your hand on
the release, then hold it some way that prevents turbulence from
releasing it for you.

Todd
3S