GLIDING GROUND CREWS
Air Activity Briefing Sheet
GROUNDCREW TASKS
GLIDER GROUND HANDLING At least 4 people should be used to move a glider; 2 by the tail, and one each by the nose and into-wind wingtip. In strong winds extra hands are needed. When helping with ground handling:
• Push only on the leading edges or nose; avoid any parts marked "No Handling". • Keep the into-wind wing down at waist height. • Hold the nose of the glider down.
When parking a glider:
• Point the aircraft across the wind. • Securely weigh down the into-wind wingtip. • Make certain enough weight is placed behind the tailskid or wheel to prevent the aircraft swinging.
GLIDER LAUNCH HANDLING The Main tasks for the Groundcrew when launching a Glider are: 1. Hooking on the tow cable to the glider. 2. Signalling to the winch or tug plane.

3. Holding & Running with the wingtip.

4. Recording the flying times of each gliders flight on log sheets.

GLIDING GROUND CREWS
Air Activity Briefing Sheet

GROUNDCREW ROLES

Wingman This is the person who, acting on the orders of the pilot, holds the wing level in the flying position during take off, running alongside until the wingtip leaves his hand. He remains by the wing to hold it on the ground when it is not required to be raised by the pilot/instructor.
Signaller The signaller is the person who's job it is to signal the orders of the pilot to the launching crew, and who enters the flight details in the launch record log. He may also be required to attach the launching tow cable to the glider.

GLIDER LAUNCHING SIGNALS
When an order is given, the signaller repeats the order to the pilot before carrying it out, EXCEPT in the case of:
• "All clear above and behind" and "STOP" in which case the order is repeated after it has been carried out.

ORDER
“ALL CLEAR ABOVE AND BEHIND”
“TAKE UP SLACK”
“ALL OUT”
“STOP”

SIGNAL GIVEN

ALDIS LAMP

BAT

No signals but wingman/signaller CHECKS there are no aircraft on

the approach or likely to endanger the launch. Repeats order to pilot if

all is clear.

Series of dashes:

Lateral movement below waist level.

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Series of dots:

Lateral movement above head.

......................

Steady continuous light:

Bat held steady above head.

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All these signals are given on the orders of the pilot except for the STOP, this can be ordered by anybody who sees an emergency situation developing.

Glider Launch Area Safety Rules • The pilot is the only person who should start a launch. • Anyone can stop a launch. • Never walk in front of a glider once it's been hooked onto the launching equipment. • Never touch launching equipment unless you are attaching a cable. • Keep well away from any glider about to be launched. • Ensure there's nothing coming in to land if you have to cross a launching area. • Watch out for the trailing towline from a tug aircraft (or winch cables).