Finger Lakes Soaring

FLSC Ground Operations

Operations Manager

• Must be on field at 9:00am to get ready for 9:30 first launch. Towpilots – 9:00 too.

• Find OPS notebook – get fresh OPS log, cash receipt log & towplane log
• Make sure hand-held VHF radios are charged and ready
• Refile ETF cards
• Organize members to pull aircraft out of hangar before 9:30AM (what if only 1 available?)
• Confer with tow pilot and instructor(s) on operational conditions, active runway, etc
• Organize aircraft tie-downs (into wind, canopies down & latched) & the launch queue (tails towards fence)
• Select wing runners & towplane monitors – review their responsibilities
• Set priorities for training flights, check-rides, regular member flights, & commercial rides
• Keep the launch queue moving (make sure pilots & instructors are ready to launch) (delays cost gas & allow fewer flights)
• Keep children & spectactors off the runways & launch queue.
• Make sure landing gliders are quickly cleared from the active runway(s) (instructor debriefing student on runway)
• Supervise return of aircraft to hangar
• Mail OPS log, cash receipt log & towplane log to treasurer
• Fill out glider logbooks
• Your job is to organize & direct others
• Be tactful, but assertive
• VERY IMPORTANT JOB – CRITICAL TO SAFETY, AS WELL AS ALLOWING EVERYONE A CHANCE TO FLY
• If you cannot make assigned day, it is your responsibility to get coverage. Notify Secretary of swap.
• No-show problem (Board is planning to crack down)

Ground Tug Operation

• Constantly check for obstacles
• Make sure speed is not too fast for wing person
• Tie-down into wind
• Launch queue – tails toward fence
• High-wind operation
• Make sure canopy is down & latched, speed brakes open & tail dolly removed
• Dismounting
  • Always shut down engine
  • If walking away, always disconnect glider
• Always cross active runways at 90 degrees (better visibility up & down runway; minimum crossing time)

Operational Issues

• Picnic table talk-fest
• Everyone needs to pay attention to ongoing operations & volunteer to help (especially inexperienced Operations Manager)

Launch Procedures – Aerotow (graphic)

Pilots

• Park gliders with tail towards fence while preparing.
• Ground delays are costing us in fuel and available launches. Only when completely ready (weights, cushions, instructor, student briefing, etc.), pull glider into launch area and board.
• Board and complete prelaunch checks to be ready when towplane approaches.
• Signal wing runner when ready for hook-up. Wing runner should not ask.
• Signal when ready to launch. Radio usage does not normally control launch
• If uncertain or if anything need to be looked at, PULL THE RELEASE and then sort things out.
• If the launch is not going well (wind, wing runner, etc) PULL THE RELEASE EARLY.

Wing Runner

• Hook up tow rope, only when asked (check for fraying near ring)
• Check canopy, speed brakes, tail dolly (L13AC rear hatch)
• Check for traffic
  • When to look
  • Where to look
  • How to look
• When to raise wing
• Signals: Take-up Slack, Go-Go, Stop (paddle use)
• What if traffic conflict or other danger is seen after wing raised?  PUT THE WING DOWN AND STOP THE LAUNCH.

Towplane Monitor

• Check for traffic
• When to repeat wing-runner signals
• Signals: Take-up Slack, Go-Go, Stop

Launch Procedures – Winch

• Winch line borders Launch/Land area – should not be a problem for landing gliders (straight run-out) and departing aerotow.
• Glider moved along fence to area indicated. Watch that wing doesn’t overlap runway end lights.
• Once aerotow traffic is clear glider may launch.
• Standard SSA Signals but launch is controlled by pilot radio communication with winch.
• When glider pilot is ready, 360 degree look-out by wing runner prior to lifting wing.
• Launch initiated by pilot once wing is level and slack is out.

Landing Procedures (graphic)

• Note landing area, aim point and displacement from runway threshold.
• Displacement gives room for winch launch glider and clearance from fence.
• Flaring at the aim point will land 100 – 200’ down range if at correct approach speed.
• Land straight ahead remaining in landing area if able.
• Exit glider and turn tail towards paved runway while waiting for tow back to tie down.
• Instructors – this is not the time for debrief.
• Do not relaunch from landing area unless you know there are no other gliders in the area and the turn-around will be rapid.

Towpilots

• Must be on field at 9:00am to get ready for 9:30 first launch.
• Wait until glider is secure in launch area, pilots aboard and line crew signals for tow.
• Keep prop blast away from line crew and glider. Suggest using towplane route (taxi towards wingtip, turn across glider, taxi away before turning, angle in so that you can see the rope end without mirrors.
• Ground crew controls launch. Glider pilot can confirm ready but all motion controlled by wing runner/towplane monitor.
• If you cannot make assigned day, it is your responsibility to get coverage. Notify Chief Pilot of swap.

Operational Issues

• Operations with no towplane monitor
• Operations with no wing-runner
• Towpilots – If OPS is no-show, write OPS NO-SHOW on tow sheet and notify a Board member immediately. 

Kai Gertsen has logged more than enough miles in a glider to fly around the world four times. 
To our great benefit, he has organized all this experience into the following items available in PDF format

• Intro to X-Country Soaring - Kai Gertsen
• Off Airport Landing - Kai Gertsen
• Thermaling - Kai Gertsen
• Spinning - Kai Gertsen