Wormingford Airfield, Fordham Road, Wormingford, Colchester, Essex CO6 3AQ Tel: (01206) 242596 glide@esgc.flyer.co.uk  "essexandsuffolkglidingclub"
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Safety Briefing 6

from Andy Sanderson

17/06/01

Just four things to mention in this issue. With Foot and Mouth, and the poor weather, there have been fewer people than usual on the airfield, and fewer problems noticed. However, we need to remain vigilant.

Currency: If you have not flown for a while, make sure you do any necessary check flights and revise anything you need to practise with an instructor before attempting it yourself. This applies to pilots of ALL levels of experience.

Launch Marshalling: The committee has agreed that we should operate with a Launch Marshal whenever there are more than four gliders waiting for a launch. Any reasonably experienced solo member must be willing to act as Launch Marshal, and the first Launch Marshal of the day will be appointed by one of the duty instructors. Thereafter it is the responsibility of Launch Marshals themselves to try to maintain cover as and when it is required. Launch Marshals will preferably (but not always) be chosen from those members neither on another rota nor on the committee. Members should be aware that if they refuse to act as Launch Marshal they may be demoted on the flying list, but also that if they agree to do a full third of a day's shift they may go to the top of the list.

Launch Procedure: The low standard of wing-running has caused concern lately. Launch Marshals may wish to give hand signals to the radio/light operator, but it is acceptable for the wing runner to do this, remembering the following:

1. Position the glider well clear to the side of any second cable.
2. Ensure that the cable and parachute are properly pulled out well in front of the glider to be launched.
3. Ensure that any second cable has had its parachute attached.
4. Ensure that the pilot has locked the canopy and brakes prior to hooking on the cable.
5. Ensure that the correct weak link is in use and that no new knots in the shock rope will be made.
6. With high-winged gliders in a crosswind, hold the into-wind wing slightly lower.
7. As well as looking directly above, and up the approach, carefully look all round the circuit on both sides, and also above and near the winch.
8. If you see any obstruction on the ground, or anything anywhere in the circuit or in any danger of approaching the glider if it launches, warn the pilot, ensure that your warning has been understood, and ask the pilot for a decision on whether or not to abandon the launch.
9. If YOU or the pilot are not sure whether an approaching aircraft will be clear of the whole launch then DO NOT LAUNCH.
10. DO NOT LAUNCH if there is any possibility of a cable landing on a glider on the ground.
11. Only commence taking up slack when the pilot is fully aware of the circuit conditions and you are BOTH happy that the launch can be carried out in complete safety.
12. Only signal "All Out" when sufficient slack has been taken out of the cable. This does not necessarily mean that the glider must be beginning to move, though more often than not it will be.
13. When the "All Out" signal has been given and the glider accelerates away, you do not need to continue to signal except in the case of a "Stop!" signal.
14. In nil-wind or cross-wind days, and especially with any tailwind, prepare to run further and faster with the wing until the glider reaches control airspeed for the ailerons.
15. Hold the wing by the tip near the trailing edge, keeping fingers well clear of skid plates and tie-down holes.
16. Face the winch and never hold the wing back.
17. If launching a glider on the first cable, step back after releasing the wing taking care not to approach the second cable.

Hangar Rash: A number of gliders have been scuffed and worse in hangar packing incidents. Please issue and listen to instructions carefully, and move gliders very slowly indeed until they are well clear of others and the hangar structure. Have someone watch the far wingtip. Some such damage has not been reported, i.e. the culprits either did not know they had caused damage or they were relying on the next DI to notice it. How would you feel if you were the first to fly such a glider? Please REPORT all scratches and scuffs - they may be more serious than they look at first glance.

Thanks.

Andy

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