Fatal crash Arizona

In the event of a launch failure (or a bounce on landing) I was
taught to 'adopt the attitude that you would be at that height
during a normal approach', which I think is a clear and good
description of the 'appropriate attitude' that Don recommends. I
completely agree with Don's advice about then checking speed,
and landing ahead as the first choice.

I was worried by writers in this thread who have mentioned
aerotowing at sites where a straight ahead landing from a low PT3
could not be safely made. Single-engine power pilots often accept
catastrophic risks (e.g. from engine failures) but we glider pilots
don't have to. If the PT3 danger is only to the glider, I guess that's
ok, if the owners and their insurance company have no objection.
But if personal injury is risked by PT3, I hope everyone agrees that
such sites should not be used for aerotowing gliders.



At 22:14 15 June 2014, Don Johnstone wrote:


No, what I was taught and what I teach applies to ALL launch
failures,
winch, auto tow, and aerotow as detailed above. The first action
is to
select the appropriate attitude, at least approach attitude and
make sure
that you have a minimum of approach speed. Then ask the
question, "Can I
land ahead" If and ONLY if the answer is NO or NOT SURE should
any other
action be considered.