1st edition October 2005 2nd edition with minor changes January 2007 3rd edition, expanded, but with unchanged bullet point guidance February 2009 4th edition, reprinted, including guidance to winch operators February 2010 4th edition, Summary, January 2011 5th edition, reformatted with new introduction and minor editing, May 2015 5th edition, Summary, May 2015 British Gliding Association, 8 Merus Court, Meridian Business Park, Leicester, LE19 1RJ Tel: 0116 289 2956 Email: safetyinitiative@gliding.co.uk www.gliding.co.uk Any queries or questions should be referred to safetyinitiative@gliding.co.uk or to the BGA office in Leicester © British Gliding Association, 2015 Safety Briefing Between 1974 and 2005 there were 36 fatalities and 72 serious injuries from accidents associated with incomplete winch launches. 278 gliders - about 8 per annum - were destroyed or substantially damaged in winch accidents during the same period. Something needed to change... Safe Winch Launching Summary This guidance has been developed from the BGA’s Safety Initiative winch launch accident study. It also draws upon Chapter 16 of the BGA Instructor Manual. The advice contained in this leaflet highlights the key risk areas in winch launching and offers simple but effective guidance on how to minimise these risks. 5th Edition, Summary, May 2015 CLIMB ROTATION GROUND RUN HAZARD AVOIDANCE Wing touches the ground, glider cartwheels or ground loops violently. • Start the launch with your hand on the release. • If you cannot keep the wings level, release immediately. PRACTICALITIES • Strap in tightly. • Be aware of the second cable. Release if the glider swings too close to it during the ground run. • Anticipate yaw. • Hold correct wing; stop launch if up or downforce at tip; run with tip. • Monitor wings level. • If wing drops, release before the wing touches the ground. • Signaller: stop launch immediately if wing drops. • First flight on type in benign conditions. Stall/spin during rotation. • Avoid taking-off with a significant amount of yaw present. • Maintain a shallow climb until adequate speed is seen with continuing acceleration. • Ensure the transition from level flight at take off to the full climb (typically 35°) is controlled, progressive, and lasts at least 5 seconds. • Do not pull back to reduce ground run over rough ground or with tail wind. • Be prepared to use whatever forward stick may be necessary to maintain a shallow climb until speed is adequate. • Monitor the airspeed; reduce rate of rotation if appropriate. Stall or heavy landing after launch failure below 100ft. • If the launch fails, immediately lower the nose to the appropriate recovery attitude. Minimising the reaction time is crucial. • Do not use the airbrakes until the glider has attained an appropriate attitude combined with a safe speed. • Instructors: simulated power loss with less than 50ft and 55kt by instructor demonstration only. Stall or spin, after launch failure. • Adopt the recovery attitude; do not turn or use the brakes until the approach speed is attained. • Land ahead if it is safe to do so. Controlled flight achieved after launch failure but subsequent stall, undershoot, overshoot, heavy landing, or collision. • Plan provisional circuit options before taking off. • No cross wind correction below 300ft. • If speed is excessive do not release; maintain shallow climb to a few hundred feet and then release or signal. • Beware habitual opening of airbrake; use airbrakes with care or not at all after launch failure. • Do not release the cable; allow it to back release. • If airspeed reduces, unload the wing; consider releasing if airspeed approaches 1.5 times stalling speed. • It typically takes 5 seconds in the recovery dive to accelerate to the approach speed. • If instructing, and P2 makes a mistake, take over early. Safe Winch Launching During the first 9 years of the safe winch launching initiative there has been a large reduction in winch accidents, particularly those involving a stall or spin. However, there has been no reduction in wing drop accidents to experienced pilots. During every launch, you are advised to ensure your flight profile is safe, and you are ready to take the appropriate action in the event of launch failure or other adverse circumstances.