Hello Dave --

Regarding the moving line, can you think of a situation where the winch
driver, upon becoming aware of an emergency situation, would want or
need to keep the line coming in?

You can see where this is leading: If the line can be stopped, why
couldn't the operator jump out of his cab and cut the synthetic line
with a sharp knife?

Or do you think this action would somehow place him in danger?

BJ

Dave Martin wrote:

At 16:30 03 November 2003, Bob Johnson wrote:
Hi Dave --

Thanks for the heads up. One question: Does the UK
guillotine
specification include the necessity for cutting a moving
synthetic line,
or would cutting a stationary line be satisfactory?

Thanks.

Bob Johnson

Hi Bob

Thanks for the interest.

Without getting the BGA winch manual out the answer
to your question is yes. In practice the guillotines
are required to cut both stationary and moving cables.

I have not seen the new Skylaunch equipment in action,
but I am told the cut is on a stationary rope. The
experts tell me this is the most difficult way to cut
rope and that a rope moving under tension is easier
to cut.

This is partly the reason we need to carry out load,
flight and cutting tests in a live situation. If only
to satisfy ourselves.

Dave Martin