ELT EPIRB

BTIZ wrote:
I usually use my floppy hat. We don't use a
launch marshall, but it sounds like your site uses a separate signal
person from the wing runner. Larger mirrors might help. You don't say
what limitations you're facing that prevents the tow pilot from seeing
the wing runner. Personally, if a wing runner can't perform the
hookup, the lookout, signal, and run the wing, I'd find someone else or
launch unassisted.


I agree, a person who cannot hook up, cannot run a wing, and does not know
the standard SSA signals, should not be left unassisted to launch a glider.

BT

Just a topical reminder, there's wing runner online training on the SSF
website
http://www.soaringsafety.org/school/wingrunner/toc.htm

Frank

Frank Whiteley wrote:
BTIZ wrote:
I usually use my floppy hat. We don't use a
launch marshall, but it sounds like your site uses a separate signal
person from the wing runner. Larger mirrors might help. You don't say
what limitations you're facing that prevents the tow pilot from seeing
the wing runner. Personally, if a wing runner can't perform the
hookup, the lookout, signal, and run the wing, I'd find someone else or
launch unassisted.

I agree, a person who cannot hook up, cannot run a wing, and does not know
the standard SSA signals, should not be left unassisted to launch a glider.

BT

Just a topical reminder, there's wing runner online training on the SSF
website
http://www.soaringsafety.org/school/wingrunner/toc.htm

Frank

We use two commands if we're aero towing with radios. "Take Up slack" to
start the tug moving and "All Out" when the rope comes tight. Both are
preceeded by the tug's call sign.

We normally use radio for the winch. Three commands are used: "Take Up
Slack" repeated until the cable is tight, then "All out" repeated until
the glider is visible to the winch driver. "Stop" repeated three times
is the emergency stop signal. I think the three syllables, two syllables
and single syllable distinction is important: it helps to cut through
wind noise, especially if the launch marshal is short handed, holding
the wing and so is without a spare hand to shield the mic.


--
martin@ | Martin Gregorie
gregorie. | Essex, UK
org |

Glider pilot calls.. "take up slack" and then counts down feet to a
stretched out cord, our tow pilots can see the line in the mirrors also. Tow
pilot can see the glider rudder waggle in most lighting conditions.. in the
mirrors.

Glider Pilot calls.. "I'm ready" if the tow pilot does not see the rudder,
calls prefaced by call signs
"11Z, Glider 9B is ready."
BT

"Nyal Williams" wrote in message
...
Our club has always used the standard hand signals
to let the tow pilot know the rope is taut and the
tow can begin.

We are considering short-handed operations in the early
hours of the day and will have just a wing runner.
Is there a standardized phrase or a recommended best
phrase to radio the tow pilot to begin the launch?
We need something that is specific for the tow pilot,
short, unambiguous, and easily understood.

Please don't say 'Go, Go, Go!' It violates almost
all the requirements.

Nyal Williams wrote:
Our club has always used the standard hand signals
to let the tow pilot know the rope is taut and the
tow can begin.

We are considering short-handed operations in the early
hours of the day and will have just a wing runner.
Is there a standardized phrase or a recommended best
phrase to radio the tow pilot to begin the launch?
We need something that is specific for the tow pilot,
short, unambiguous, and easily understood.

Please don't say 'Go, Go, Go!' It violates almost
all the requirements.

We use: "Towplane X, Glider Y ready for takeoff (with/without water
ballast)"

Nyal Williams wrote:
We are considering short-handed operations in the early
hours of the day and will have just a wing runner.
Is there a standardized phrase or a recommended best
phrase to radio the tow pilot to begin the launch?
We need something that is specific for the tow pilot,
short, unambiguous, and easily understood.

The winch site here uses "Full Power, Full Power" on the field telephone
to the winch.

The other phrases are "Take up slack, take up slack" and "Stop, stop,
stop, stop!"

There's also "Would you like a break?" We don't need to say that twice!

Please don't say 'Go, Go, Go!' It violates almost
all the requirements.

Ours might too but it works for us.

GC

Actually, it is a mirror problem. I think we have
it worked out, but I just wanted to hear what others
might be doing.

I dislike the 'Go,go,go;' and 'Stop, stop, stop.'
We have several airports around us using the same frequency
and this kind of communication is too cluttered.

At 05:18 21 September 2006, Frank Whiteley wrote:

Nyal Williams wrote:
Our club has always used the standard hand signals
to let the tow pilot know the rope is taut and the
tow can begin.

We are considering short-handed operations in the
early
hours of the day and will have just a wing runner.
Is there a standardized phrase or a recommended best
phrase to radio the tow pilot to begin the launch?
We need something that is specific for the tow pilot,
short, unambiguous, and easily understood.

Please don't say 'Go, Go, Go!' It violates almost
all the requirements.
Give the wing runner a signal paddle (like a large
ping-pong paddle) to
signal the tow plane. I usually use my floppy hat.
We don't use a
launch marshall, but it sounds like your site uses
a separate signal
person from the wing runner. Larger mirrors might
help. You don't say
what limitations you're facing that prevents the tow
pilot from seeing
the wing runner. Personally, if a wing runner can't
perform the
hookup, the lookout, signal, and run the wing, I'd
find someone else or
launch unassisted.

We've settled on three audio signals for winch launching
on the radio,
each spoken three times. Up slack, go, and stop.
Just who is giving
the radio signals? If there's no wing runner, but
I don't think we've
settled on signals other than communicating with the
tow pilot by
closing the canopy and giving a rudder wag.

In the UK we called 'all out' three times instead of
'go' on the winch.
If the problem is really an audio issue, buy some
nice noise canceling
headsets.

Frank Whiteley