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Mark Burton
Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 74
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 Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2007 5:30 am Post subject: Glider winch launching and decision making |
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Anthony mentions glider winch launching and I believe from my experience as a (retired) glider pilot and instructor that there is much to be learned from the winch launch experience that is applicable to the engine failure on take off situation.
Glider pilots are trained to "do the right thing" when the winch launch fails. In a nutshell, when the launch fails you generally have the choice of landing ahead or making a VERY abbreviated circuit with other options possibly being available depending on such factors as airfield size and shape, wind speed and direction, aircraft performance, and so on.
In my opinion, the hardest part of handling the winch launch failure is not getting the speed under control (attitude!) but it's making the right decision as to what to do next. Once the (right) decision has been made, the pressure on the pilot is very much reduced. Rules such as "always land ahead" are not acceptable because safe alternatives (normally do) exist. It all comes down to judgement and that only comes from experience.
It takes quite a lot of training before a low hours glider pilot can safely handle a winch launch failure at any stage of the launch. i.e. they make the right decision every time. As any glider pilot will tell you, it's sometimes a very difficult decision to make. It's often the case that after the launch has failed (the instructor pulled the cable release) and the pupil has got the atitude and speed under control that nothing else happens! They just sit there not making a decision until the instructor suggests something before all the options run out.
I think the point I'm getting to here is that a well trained and current glider pilot should be able to make the right decision and cope with a winch launch failure at any height. But that glider pilot has had a lot of very realistic training to help hone their decision making skills and judgement and (crucially) they continue to be tested on a regular basis and if their performance isn't adequate then more training is required.
Now how about the power world? Apart from Bill (really 5?), how much REALISTIC training do power pilots get in terms of making the right decision regarding whether it is possible to turn back or not after engine failure on take off? Very little I think. How much experience does the average pilot have? I suspect that most have hardly any at all.
So I believe that power pilots need to be very conservative in their judgement when it comes to decide whether to go straight on or to turn back.
And finally, remember the old Test Pilot's motto "If you're going to hit a house, aim for a window!"
Mark
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ptiller(at)lolacars.com
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| Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2007 8:15 am Post subject: Glider winch launching and decision making |
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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!
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carl(at)flyers.freeserve.
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| Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2007 10:56 am Post subject: Glider winch launching and decision making |
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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
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