On Wednesday, July 2, 2014 4:58:26 AM UTC-5, pete purdie wrote:
The natural human reply to suggestions of change is to say ' we always did

it this way without a problem.' All very well until someone is killed or

seriously injured, then the lawyers get involved.

How fast we forget. Tonopah, Nevada, July 16 2002:

http://www.ntsb.gov/aviationquery/br...LA231 &akey=1

Steve is completely right. There is NO need for someone in front of the launch, and any procedure that uses someone in that position should be changed.

Again, as a tow pilot, I would much rather look directly at the glider I'm about to launch than rely on someone else to relay the signal. In a contest, I really only need to watch the rope for slack - it's up to the glider pilot to be ready or release!

Keep it simple and put the responsibility in the hands of those directly involved: the tow pilot and the glider pilot.

Kirk
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