At 15:24 06 January 2006, Jettester wrote:
Reference FAA Glider Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-13)
published in
2003...
page 7-34

FAA recommended checklist for the traffic pattern
FUSTALL

F - Flaps (on some gliders you may not want to change
the flaps
throughout the pattern due to high forces)
U - Undercarriage
S - Speeds (based upon wind and sink expected)
T - Trim Set
A - Airbrakes / Spoilers (I have had occurrences where
one popped all
the way out when first opened.. I'd like to know that
on downwind!
(ASW-17 .. Yes the hotelier fittings were pinned!!),
also on the 2-33 -
if the handle goes all the way back against the stop
the brake will not
work, etc..)
L - Lookout (Safe landing area.. otherwise land somewhere
else)
L - Land

I have over 4000 hrs in gliders of all kinds, probably
1/2 of that
instructing around the country, and am a test pilot
for many years. I
still mentally use a checklist, especially after long
(10hr+) flights.
The object is to train the student in preparation for
other ratings as
well. A checklist does not prevent one from using
judgement, rather ..
it is a tool.

By the way I flew F-4s (all models) for 20 yrs USAF.

I like your FUSTALL. One point about the spoilers,
once you crack em
open, don't lock em again or you are right back where
you started. The
good thing about aviation is, we haven't left one up
there yet. I guess the
last 'L' makes it official. You will land.
The first bragger has no chance. How about 21,000+
hrs in everything
from J3s H13s to B747-400s? Let's here it from all
those airline types.
Yeh,Yeh Big deal.
Chuck