Can I add one item to the pre takeoff checklist (as part of eventualities).
B for passenger briefing. How many of us tell the passenger what to expect
if the engine fails and more importantly the evacuation drill once you are
back on the ground (hopefully in one piece).
If you did the passenger briefing you would be considering the possibility
of the "donkey" quitting.
As an ex glider pilot I always looked forward to the odd cable break - a
challenge to be savoured and learned from. At one club I used to fly from
they were a regular occurrence so when it happened they were something of a
non event.
Recently I came up with the idea of asking my "fearless" wife (who is less
afraid of flying with me than me) to tap the throttle without warning on
randomly selected takeoffs and ask me where I planned to land. It would
certainly be an effective way of practicing an engine failure.
Problem is she might tell me to fly on my own.
carl Pattinson
G-LABS
----- Original Message -----
From: "flyingphil2" <ptiller@lolacars.com>
Sent: Wednesday, June 20, 2007 5:12 PM
Subject: Re: Europa-List: Glider winch launching and decision making
>
> Hi,
>
> Mark is absolutely right and as a current glider pilot I think I have one
> other thing to add to that.
>
> All UK glider pilots are trained so that when they do their pre-flight
> checks, the final check they make is 'Eventualities'. This makes them
> think about what they will do if the launch goes wrong (i.e cable break on
> the winch or rope break on aerotow). The whole idea is to basically
> assume that something is going to go wrong and plan for it. If the launch
> is actually successful then that's a bonus!
>
> So, I wonder how many power pilots plan for an engine failure shortly
> after take off. As a glider tug pilot I've become very aware of the
> consequences and drill for an engine failure at 300' but even with that in
> mind I'm sure it would be stressfull and a very high workload with a land
> ahead controlled crash if it happens.
>
> So, worth adding 'E' for eventualities to your pre-take off checks!
>
>
> Visit - www.EuropaOwners.org
>
>
>
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