That's a very good point about hooking up the Tost (belly hook) without
pulling the cable. The line crews where I fly now do not know that you can
do that so the hookup always includes: "Open", "Close", "Check". Since I
know the rope was attached in that fashion, I decline the check. If I'm
hooking up myself before getting strapped in (no line crew) then I'll check.


"kirk.stant" wrote in message
...
"I encourage our pilots to do the same to save a bit of time at launch, but
ask them to tell the line person that the release check has been done. FWIW
UH"

Hank, I also usually tow out behind a golf cart, and that hookup/release
serves as my release check. On my own ship, with a nose tost, I am
comfortable that the hookup process (with rattle check) is sufficient. I
will defer to more experienced pilots when it comes to checking
CG/back-release hooks. I also tell the line that the check has already been
done.

Oddly, my two release failures in over 2000 hrs have both been Schweizers: A
PTT in a 2-32 when the release arm didn't seat all the way due to some mud
on it and resulted in a surprise PTT at barely 200' - I was in the RCP
giving a ride and didn't check the altimeter - but the result was a rapid
180 and return to the launch point for a second (successful) flight; the
other was a jammed release when a tost ring was used on a Schweizer hook
(2-33) - a practice since discontinued, fortunately - and the little ring
somehow jammed the release during the tow. Solved by getting some slack in
the line, but the first time I tried to release the knob didn't move at all!
On both those occasions a release check was performed and passed. So
perhaps my point of view is a bit jaundiced ;^)

Cheers,

Kirk
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