On 5 Sep, 15:02, Tom Gardner wrote:
On Sep 5, 2:40 pm, Ian wrote:

Agreed - as long as the ground crew (signaller, driver, anyone else
involved at the site in question) are also ready to go.

If anyone isn't ready to go, then the launch doesn't start.

Indeed. Which gibves the pilot fiddling time ...

How long a delay? Ten seconds? Twenty? A minute?

Reasonable question. I would have thought that there was
no single correct answer and doesn't need to be;
judgement is required from everybody.

Then you and up with a non-launching glider on a cable, the pilot
getting distracted, the signaller seeing an opportunity for a quick
launch and ... bang.

Actually, I agree with you. I just think that the pilot should
retain / have retained control.

What if the ground is muddy and the pilot doesn't
want to make someone grovel in the mud
again to reattach?

The pilot is a twit if they let that sway a safety decision.

Might it not alter the judgment (see above) about how long to delay
pulling the bung?

Yes, in an ideal world we could hook up and go. I just think the final
word on whether to start the launch should rest with the pilot in
charge ...

Nope, it rests with everybody involved in the launch, in that all
must be happy before proceeding.

Lots of people have input - your point about the check behind is very
good - but only one person can ever have a final word about anything.

I don't agree. No rules which are followed mindlessly are good.

The rule can be good even if it is mindlessly followed. Most
of the time I mindlessly follow the rule to drive on the left side
of the road

Even if you meet approaching walkers ...?

Ian