Statement: "Come on Colin, the tow pilot isn't saying the controls are
hooked up, he's just
checking that the sailplane pilot said it was done and a PCC was
accomplished.
Just checking paper-work, so to speak, only make that tape-work. BTW, towing
a
glider with controls not hooked up is hazardous to the tow pilot. He's just
being prudent in checking on something like this."

Response: The tow pilot is responsible for the safety of his aircraft and he
or she needs to do whatever is necessary to assure that safety. That would
require more than a simple review of paper-work. The tow pilot also needs
to assure the tow cable and link are safe. However, once he or she assumes
a responsibility to check the sailplane paperwork, then if that condition
has not been met, there will likely be a lawsuit when the sailplane pilot
dies because of that condition. And, this check of paperwork may not be
covered by the tow plane's liability policy. As a towplane pilot, I would
want to assure myself that the sailplane is not going to kill me, so I would
make whatever inspections, require whatever paperwork I felt necessary to
protect me, and question the glider operator if I had any concerns.

Colin





---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.656 / Virus Database: 421 - Release Date: 4/9/04