Pierce Brosnan Tom Knauff John Mc Tiernen SAFETY

Pierce Brosnan, Tom Knauff, John Mc. Tiernen

SAFETY SEMINAR Lakeland, Florida February 2, 2, 002 © Tom Knauff

Flying Gliders Is Dangerous!

2001 ACCIDENTS l From NTSB reports only. l 38 reported accidents. (18 E, 20 W) l 6 fatalities (2 East, 4 West) www. ntsb. gov/NTSB/query. asp © Tom Knauff

2001 FATALITIES The way I see it. Showing off – Discus CS Pushing limits - Nimbus 3 DM Improper assembly – ASW-20 High on tow – Ka 6 Medical? Inexperience? Showing off? SZD-55 Stall / spin – low power - Moni ©Tom Knauff

Since 1964 37 years active glider flight training: Up to 2001, only 4 accidents we knew of. 2001 the first fatality. Two other accidents.

National Transportation Safety Board Glider Fatalities Seventeen Years 1983 - 2001

USA GLIDER FATALITIES 128 Fatalities 7. 1 per year

Which is more dangerous? l Gliders? l Automobiles?

1997 STATISTICS l AUTOMOBILES l GLIDERS l 41, 000 l 7 Fatalities l 1 in 6, 463 Fatalities l 1 in 2, 000 ©Tom Knauff

“Flying is especially unforgiving of ignorance, errors or foolish behavior. ” © Tom Knauff

“A little learning is a dangerous thing. ” Alexander Pope (1688– 1744) © Tom Knauff

“We never really know what stupidity is until we have experimented on ourselves. ” Paul Gauguin (1848– 1903) © Tom Knauff

“Just as going to church won’t make you religious, sleeping in your garage won’t make you a race car driver. ” Garrison Keillor © Tom Knauff

THE BASIC TRUTH Pilots do not have the fundamental knowledge to allow them to fly safely.

KNOWLEDGE IS THE KEY! If you don’t have it here: You can’t have it here. © Tom Knauff

Four question TEST

In a steep, left turn, at a stable bank angle and airspeed, the controls will be held: A. Right aileron, right rudder, back stick. B. Left aileron, left rudder, back stick. C. Right aileron, left rudder, back stick. D. Left aileron, right rudder, back stick.

During a left turn on aerotow, the glider pilot should see: A. The left side of the towplane. B. The right side of the towplane. C. Both sides of the towplane equally. D. Which side is not important as long as the glider is not too high.

You are most likely to have a stall/spin accident during what three occasions? Answer Later

Early on tow, you see the towplane waggling its rudder. What does this mean?

Licensed Glider Pilots The average score on a longer, similar test is 34%

WHEN ARE YOU AT MOST RISK? 1. Landing. 2. Takeoff. 3. Low altitude thermalling.

NTSB STATISTICS THE GREATEST RISK Takeoff 15% Unknown 7% In flight 14% Pattern & Landing 64% © Tom Knauff

GLIDER ACCIDENT CAUSES 1992: 47 Accidents Aircraft 13% Environment 4% Pilot 83% NTSB © Tom Knauff

ACCIDENT CAUSAL FACTORS Al. P l. E l. S l ircraft ilot nvironment ituation © Tom Knauff

KNOWLEDGE IS THE KEY! If you don’t have it here: You can’t have it here. © Tom Knauff

HOW DO WE CHANGE PILOT BEHAVIOR? • Examiners and CFI’s hold the key. • Everyone can help by actively being involved in safety. © Tom Knauff

PILOT FACTORS l Knowledge l Skill l Judgment © Tom Knauff

THE LEARNING PYRAMID Judgment Skills Experience Knowledge ©Tom Knauff

The pyramid of knowledge is made of thousands “blocks” of knowledge. Missing one or several makes the entire pyramid unstable.

Here is the list of FAA licensing requirements:

1. FAR Part 1, 43, 61, 91, and 830. Eligibility requirements. Medical requirements. Personal log book. Glider pilot certificates; privileges, and limitations. Glider and tow pilot recency of experience requirements. Airworthiness and registration certificates. Maintenance requirements and records. General operating rules. Flight rules. Accident reporting. 2. Glider Flight Manual. Operating limitations, equipment list. Performance charts, tables and data. Weight and balance. Ballast and it’s effect on performance.

3. Glider Assembly, and Disassembly. 4. Flight Preparation and Planning. National airspace system. Controlled airspace. Special use airspace. Enroute checkpoints. Go ahead points. Using lift sources and speed between lift sources. Terrain considerations. Selecting landing areas. Personal equipment. Aeronautical Information Manual. Navigation, aeronautical charts. Cross country emergency procedures. Personal Equipment. High altitude. Varying terrain. Long distances. Climatic conditions. Oxygen systems. Parachutes.

6. Flight Instruments and Associated Aircraft Systems. Magnetic compass. Yaw string. Airspeed indicator. Altimeter. Variometer. Inclinometer. Total energy compensator. Gyroscopic instruments Electrical system Landing gear. Avionics 7. Soaring Weather. Recognition of critical weather situations and conditions suitable for soaring flight. Basic VFR weather minimums. Adverse weather conditions. 8. Pilot Weather Reports and Forecasts. Procurement and use of aeronautical weather reports & forecasts. Area and terminal forecasts. Winds & temperatures aloft. Severe weather watch bulletin. Surface analysis chart. Weather depiction chart.

Radar summary chart. Composite moisture stability chart. Significant weather prognosis. Effect of density altitude and wind on performance. Severe weather outlook chart. SIGMET’s and AIRMET’s. NOTAM’s. PIREP’s. Wind shear reports. Estimating visibility. Making sound go-no-go decisions based on weather. 9. Stability Charts. Pressure and temperature lapse rates. Atmospheric instability. Thermal index. Thermal production. Cloud formation and identification. Frontal weather. Other lift sources. 10. Hazards Associated With Thunderstorms.

11. Preflight. Line inspections. Tie down. Control lock and wheel chock removal. Ice and frost removal. Written checklists. Flight control Proper assembly. Personal equipment. Tow rope, weak links, tow line inspection, releases. Launch equipment inspection –tow hitches, releases. Structural damage. Noting discrepancies. Ground handling. Post flight procedures. 12. Launches, Aerotow and/or Ground tows. Surface operations. Pre-takeoff checklists. Takeoff. Aerotow, including airspeeds. High or low tows. Signals. Safety precautions. Release procedures. Slack towline procedures. Boxing the propwash. Wake turbulence.

13. Aerotow, Abnormal Procedures. Towplane power loss during takeoff. Towplane power failure at altitude. Glider release failure. Towline break during takeoff. Glider and towplane release failure. Purposing. 14. Precision Maneuvering. Straight glides. Turns, Shallow, medium, steep turns. Flight at minimum controllable airspeed. Imminent forward and turning stalls. Full stalls, forward stalls. Spirals. Spin entry, spins, spin recovery technique. Collision avoidance. Turns to headings. 15. Critical Performance Speeds. Never exceed speed. Minimum sink speed. Maneuvering speed. Rough air redline. Speed to fly. Best glide speed.

16. Traffic. Patterns. Entry and departure procedures Co-existing traffic patterns. Rules. Pre-landing checklist. Collision avoidance. Wake turbulence 17. Normal Landings. Use of dive brakes, spoilers, and flaps. Accuracy approaches and landings. Faulty approaches. Sideslips, forward slips, turning slips. 18. Crosswind Takeoffs and Landings. 19. Downwind Landings. 20. Ground Reference Maneuvers. 21. Off Field Landings (simulated). 22. Emergency Procedures, and Equipment Malfunctions.

23. Exercising Judgment. Correct aircraft control and sound judgment in decision making. 24. Soaring Techniques. Thermal Soaring. Ridge and slope soaring. Wave soaring. Mountain soaring. Convergence lift 25. Recovery From Unusual Attitudes. High speed spirals. Excessive bank angles. Excessive pitch angles. Crossed control stalls. High sink rates. 26. Medical Factors. 27. Cross Country Emergency Conditions and terrain problems. 28. Flight Test. Fight test requirements. Written test requirements. Use of distractions during flight test.

TEACHING FUNDEMENTALS Learning begins at the Rote level. © Tom Knauff

Rote learning is memorizing facts.

HOW PEOPLE LEARN SIGHT © Tom Knauff

Stuff you should know about stalls. © Tom Knauff

HOW IMPORTANT IS STALL TRAINING? NTSB and AOPA studies show up to 3/4 of all fatal accidents are the result of stalling. © Tom Knauff

WHAT ARE WE SUPPOSED TO TEACH? FAA Flight Training Handbook (AC 61 -21 A) Page 144 “Fundamentals of Stall Recovery” “During the practice of intentional stalls, the real objective is not to learn how to stall an airplane, but to learn how to recognize an incipient stall and take prompt corrective action. ” © Tom Knauff

HOW MANY SIGNS? © Tom Knauff

TEST - HOW TO RECOGNIZE A STALL What are the signs of a stall? 1. Excessive Back Stick Pressure. 2. Nose High Attitude. 3. Low Airspeed. 4. Quiet 5. Ineffective Controls. 6. Shudder or Buffet. © Tom Knauff

THREE FACTORS l Aircraft l Pilot l Environment © Tom Knauff

THE AIRCRAFT Factors that influence the stall: l Dive brakes open or closed? l Coordinated flight? l Surface - Dirty? - Frost? l Angle of bank? l CG? l Weight? © Tom Knauff

THE PILOT How a pilot senses a stall: l 1. Excessive Back Stick Pressure. Feel l 2. Nose High Attitude. Sight l 3. Low Airspeed. Sight l 4. Quiet Hear l 5. Ineffective Controls. Feel l 6. Shudder or Buffet. Feel © Tom Knauff

THE ENVIRONMENT l Wind Gradient. l Turbulence. l Wind Sheer. l Terrain. l Emergencies. © Tom Knauff

THE BOTTOM LINE 1. Keep the nose of the glider below the horizon in a normal gliding attitude. 2. Keep the yaw string straight. Do the above and it is highly unlikely you will stall. © Tom Knauff

WHEN IS A TURNING STALL MOST LIKELY? l PT 3 l Unusual l Low Landing Pattern Altitude Thermalling © Tom Knauff

AVOIDING TURNING STALLS l Use higher pattern altitudes in windy or turbulent conditions. l Avoid low altitude turns. l Avoid shallow turns. l Keep nose below horizon. l Keep the yaw string straight. © Tom Knauff

PREVENTING LANDING ACCIDENTS © Tom Knauff

THE LANDING STALL l Is rarely the result of a “normal” landing pattern. Normal Pattern Spacing Low, Slow, and Close Too Low Too Slow Shallow Bank ©Tom Knauff

FLY SAFE LANDING PATTERNS l Commit To The Landing Pattern With Enough Altitude To Positively Fly A Normal Pattern. (Avoid The Unusual. ) © Tom Knauff

FLY SAFE LANDING PATTERNS l Wind. Increase Pattern Altitude, as Well as Airspeed. l Keep a Proper Distance While Flying The Downwind Leg. (Avoid Being Too Close. ) © Tom Knauff

FLY SAFE LANDING PATTERNS Make Coordinated, Constant Speed Turns At All Times. (Especially in the Landing Pattern. ) © Tom Knauff

PROPER SPACING WIND Landing Area Too close Correct © Tom Knauff

KEEP YOUR DISTANCE 45 DEGREES 30 DEGREES RUNWAY © Tom Knauff

USE A PRE-LANDING CHECKLIST Runway Undercarriage Speed Trim Airbrakes Look I. P. © Tom Knauff

TURN CHECKLIST Runway Constant Speed Straight Yaw String! © Tom Knauff

THE BUTTONHOOK PATTERN VERY DANGEROUS! Runway X X © Tom Knauff

AVOID THE EXTREMES Steep Approach Shallow Approach © Tom Knauff

WIND GRADIENT l Worst below 200 feet. l Wind Shear, Turbulence. l Wings can be in different air when banked. l Avoid by descending with level wings, and adequate airspeed. © Tom Knauff

PATTERNS IN WIND l Raise pattern speed 1/2 of wind speed. l Add factor for unusual turbulence. l Raise pattern altitude with wind or turbulence. © Tom Knauff

PT 3 l Premature Termination's of The Tow. l ~ 20% of all fatal

WHAT ARE THE ODDS? 50 – 50!!! Either the rope will break or it won’t!

AVOIDING PT 3 STALL l Expect the emergency. l Have a plan of action. l React instantly. l Get the nose down to a flying attitude. © Tom Knauff

SAY 200 FEET “ 200 FEET!” “Decision Point? ” © Tom Knauff

200 FEET PLAN OF ACTION 1. Lower Nose to Gliding Attitude 2. Initiate turn (Usually into wind. ) 3. Keep Yaw String Straight! 4. Establish Adequate Bank Angle. 5. Constantly Monitor Pitch Attitude and Yaw String Throughout Turn. © Tom Knauff

The Tow Pilot Can Help

Final Words

WHAT YOU CAN DO l Skill: It is estimated that the average glider pilot only flies 35 hours a year. l Knowledge: Do you know what you need to know to fly safely? © Tom Knauff

KNOWLEDGE l FAR Part 61. – Lists everything you are required to know. l Practical Test Standards. – To what standard. l ABC, Bronze Badges – Knowledge and skills specific to gliding. © Tom Knauff

USE CHECKLISTS l Assembly l Pre-takeoff: CB - SI(F)T- CBE l Pre-landing: USTAL ©

Avoid Distractions. Use other people.

JUDGMENT l Judgment: Considering your skill and knowledge, should you. . . l Have you read the judgment training manual, “Accident Prevention Manual for Glider Pilots? ” © Tom Knauff

THE CFI l Find a good, experienced, mature CFI. l Ask them to be critical of your performance. l Take several flights with CFI. © Tom Knauff

RECOMMENDED READING l BOOKS BY EXPERIENCED PROFESSIONALS. © Tom Knauff

WOLFGANG LANGEWISCHE “The most important book in aviation. ” l Stick and Rudder. ©

DEREK PIGGOTT Setting the standard since the 50’s. l Gliding l Beginning Gliding l Understanding Gliding l Gliding Safety l Ground Launching © Tom Knauff

ANN WELCH FRANK IRVING l New Soaring Pilot © Tom Knauff

TOM KNAUFF (The only glider flight training manuals that fulfill all FAR flight requirements. ) l Glider Basics From First Flight To Solo l After Solo l Transition To Gliders © Tom Knauff

MORE BOOKS BY TOM l Accident Prevention Manual For Glider Pilots l Accident Prevention Manual For Glider CFI’s l Glider Flight Instructor’s Manual l Off Field Landings l Ridge Soaring © Tom Knauff

ABC IS THE KEY! ALWAYS BE CAREFUL! © Tom Knauff

Thomas Knauff Ridge Soaring Gliderport 3523 South Eagle Valley Road Julian, Pa 16844 Phone (814) 355 2483 Fax (814) 355 2633 Email: tknauff@earthlink. net www. eglider. org ©Tom Knauff