Standardization in Slack Rope Recovery?

As announced in SOARING magazine . . .
The Soaring Safety Foundation (SSF), the training and safety arm of the SSA, is producing short training videos based on the required tasks in the FAA Practical Test Standards (PTS) at the Commercial level, available by links at www.soaringsafety.org

The FAA Practical Test Standards (PTS) for Private, Commercial and CFI glider pilots require that "slack line" recoveries be performed on the FAA Practical Test ("checkride.") Other videos in SSF series include boxing the wake and slips to landing without the use of air brakes or spoilers, as required in the FAA PTS.

Additional videos to be released soon include accuracy landings, downwind and crosswind landings. Student pilots and Flight Instructors should consider that the SSF is not suggesting these videos are the ONLY way to accomplish the maneuvers in the PTS.

The videos include the FAA criteria for the task in the PTS then demonstrations of some suggested methods that may help you pass the checkride. Common errors are discussed in these short videos filmed at Marfa Gliders in southwest Texas (in January), home of my "Free Checkrides" offer as posted on this newsgroup.

Burt Compton, FAA Designated Pilot Examiner, Trustee of the Soaring Safety Foundation.

P.S. Come to the SSA Convention in Greenville, SC, FEB 17-20.
Attend the SSF Seminar on Wednesday FEB 17 at 6 PM in the Hilton-Greenville, Anderson ballroom. Free and qualifies for FAA "Wings" credit.
Then visit us in the SSF booth FEB 18-20 in the nearby TD Convention Hall, Greenville, SC.
I'll see you there!

maybe the question is not why there are different techniques for required tasks.

rather, why do CFIs, who are giving checkouts and BFRs to experienced pilots (as opposed to primary instruction), demand one specific method?

Shouldn't they use the "Satisfactory Performance" criteria as outlined in the PTS, which says:

Satisfactory performance to meet the requirements for certification is
based on the applicant's ability to safely:

1. perform the TASKs specified in the AREAS OF OPERATION for
the certificate or rating sought within the approved standards;

2. demonstrate mastery of the aircraft with the successful outcome of
each TASK performed never seriously in doubt;

3. demonstrate satisfactory proficiency and competency within the
approved standards; and

4. demonstrate sound judgment and ADM.

--bob