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BLACKHAWK SOARING CLUB OPERATIONS
REVISED April 5, 2010
Safety and respect for other airport users are paramount to our success and longevity.
***A safety briefing and allocation of the day's duties should precede any operations*** GROUND OPS1. There will be no car parking inside the Runway/Taxiway area (grass area between taxiway and runway) except for staging of the glider and retrieve vehicle and ops tent. Vehicles other than retrieve vehicle should be parked away from taxiways, run up areas and runways (preferably on access roads).
2. Parking of cars should be to the outside of the run up area for each runway. Tents, chairs, people etc. should also be outside the run up area and well back of the yellow double hold line and allow ample wing clearance for airplanes/gliders. Dogs must be on a leash. Children should be in or near their car.
3. Operations will normally take place from the end of the runways.
4. A ground crew radio and established communications with the tow plane and airport traffic must be maintained at all times. The radio must be with the glider ground crew when positioning the glider on runway and with the tow car when retrieving aircraft. Always broadcast before entering the runway or back towing the glider. (Be aware the hand held radio doesn't always pick up all air traffic transmissions. Listen for updates from the tow pilot.)
5. In optimum conditions the ground crew on the runway should consist of a maximum of 3 persons; One to hook up the tow plane and stand slightly forward o f tow plane at edge of runway to relay signals. Two people will assist moving the glider to the runway and help with pilot and passenger loading. One of the two will attach towrope, hold wing and relay signals and one will monitor radio, and pattern for traffic. With only two ground crew people, person by tow plane will man radio and monitor traffic pattern. The other ground person has to continue monitoring radio and traffic pattern as well as hooking up both planes etc. Know what your duty is before entering the runway. Both orange paddles should be used, especially when there is only one ground crew member. (Vibration in the aircraft makes the rear view mirror pilot looks back through very fuzzy.)
6. After the towrope is dropped, make sure it is not a hazard for aircraft taking off or landing.
7. When retrieving the glider from the runway, the back tow vehicle will announce entering runway and during back towing. Unless the tow plane and glider crew is ready for next flight, remove the glider from the runway, rather than discussing who' next or waiting on the runway.
8. Each ground team member and glider pilot is encouraged to take the on line Soaring Safety Foundation Wing Walker Course at http://www.soaringsafety.org/school/wingrunner/toc.htm
9. Tow plane should only be shutdown on the runway for emergencies, otherwise drop the rope and taxi off. AIR OPS1. By piloting the tow plane or glider, the pilot is declaring that he is current and complying with FAA Regulations, insurance rules and club Rules.
2. The tow plane must broadcast positioning of tow plane and glider on runway before glider enters runway.
3. The tow plane pilot may hear missed traffic reports by ground or glider and needs to be vigilant, monitor CTAF and advise the ground crew and glider as necessary, making any broadcasts to area traffic as need to ensure safety.
4. Only the pilot shall be in the tow plane during towing for the glider, unless instruction or a currency ride is being given.
5. Glider and tow plane will check radio communications before launch.
6. Tow pilot should be advised before takeoff of the tentative altitude and desired direction, and airspeed of tow, any desired maneuvers on tow and a radio check must be made from the glider to tow plane before takeoff.
7. The take off announcements will be made by tow pilot and after release tow pilots will broadcast.
8. Tow pilot shall watch for traffic and broadcast the location of tow plane and glider during tow.
9. Glider pilot should advise tow pilot by radio of any changes in tow plan during tow.
10. Upon tow release, glider banks right, tow plane banks left and then verifies glider position as soon as possible.
11. Gliders will announce position for incoming traffic.
12. Tow plane shall return directly to field, drop the tow rope and land. (Tow plane will be positioned on the grass - ONLY BY HAND)
13. After landing, glider pilot will immediately get out and pull glider off runway if tow vehicle is not there or on runway enroute to glider.
14. Each tow pilot is encouraged to take the on line Soaring Safety Foundation on line Tow Pilot Course at http://www.soaringsafety.org/school/towpilot/tpctoc.htm
Be watchful, fly safe and enjoy!
Updated April 5, 2010
Blackhawk Soaring Club Glider Operations - Pre and Post Flying Checklist updated April 5,2010
Prior to Operations
1. Gather items needed on the field
a. Tow rope, signal paddles, short tow ropes, radios, yellow book, weights, cushions
b. Weights for front seat passenger only. No rear seat solo operations as per flight manual
2. Check Air in tires and visually inspect each glider before moving.
3. Clean Canopies (Follow Directions)
a. Only use liquid provided in spritzer bottle
b. Only use special cleaner products and please ask an officer first
c. Never use any petroleum product, windshield cleaner or any liquid other than provided
d. Do not use scotch tape on Canopy
e. Never scrape on Canopy to remove something
4. Pilots personal articles
a. Water Bottle
b. Cell Phone
c. Maps and radio frequencies needed
5.
After Operations
1. Roll up rope
2. Pick up radios, paddles, yellow book, weights, cushions etc.
3. Police area for any left behind articles
4. Put glider away, take out radio, and any other articles in cockpit and cover canopy
5. Make sure radios are turned off and plugged into chargers
7. Make one last check for the tow rope, radios, paddles, short tow ropes, weights, cushions, yellow book
8. Glider Pilots will check the yellow book for correct person to bill the flight to, correct time aloft and altitude towed to. You will be billed for what is in the book.
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