Tom Knauff Ridge Soaring Gliderport Knauff Grove Soaring

Tom Knauff Ridge Soaring Gliderport Knauff & Grove Soaring Supplies Julian, Pennsylvania www. eglider. org tknauff@earthlink. net

TODAYS SUBJECT MATTER • Touch briefly on accident statistics. • A few things you should know. • A few things you think you know. • Causes of some accidents. • Preventing some accidents.

“Every one of us who shares the sky should strive to be the very best we can be. The sky is too unforgiving for us not to be. ” Doug Stewart 2004 National CFI of the Year.

On average, there are more than Six glider fatalities every year. That is too many! 6. 7 per year

Coal Mine Safety and Health In 2004, coal mining fatalities were near the lowest level in history with 28. Accident reduction efforts helped to keep the annual fatality totals nearly 50% lower in recent years compared with totals recorded in the early 1990 s.

2004 Number of coal miners 108, 497 Fatalities 28 One out of every 3, 875 Coal Mine Safety and Health In 2004, coal mining fatalities were near the lowest level in history with 28. On-site inspection hours/mine 219. 2

COAL MINING One out of every 3, 875 SSA MEMBERS One of every 1, 800

U. S. Department of Labor, Mine Safety and Health Administration. Safety in America’s mining industry made significant strides over the last 25 years in particular. In 1978, the first year under the new Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977, 242 miners died in mining accidents.

Last year, in 2004 a record-low 28 fatalities were reported. This was the fourth consecutive year mining fatalities decreased to record-low levels.

HOW THEY DO IT MSHA uses a balanced approach to administering the Mine Act, offering a strong dose of compliance assistance to three key areas: 1. Enforcement of rules. 2. Education and training of mining personnel. 3. Technical assistance for the mining community.

These three elements form MSHA’s Triangle of Success. And the results have been a success! Since 2000, the mining industry has seen a 35% decrease in fatal accidents nationwide.

WHO YOU ARE » Older • Well educated • Affluent • Movers & Shakers

WHO YOU ARE NOT • Teenager • Fly at night. • Fly drunk.

You should be among the safest. But, you are not.

Safety measures already in place have been inadequate, circumvented, or ignored.

Four Questions

What affect does a tree have? On the length of the landing area. Reduces the available length by: A. 2 to 1 B. 5 to 1 C. 10 to 1 D. 15 to 1 E. 20 to 1

Name the signs of a stall.

Landing Long (and crashing) is more dangerous than landing short (and crashing. ) • True • False

Take your hands off the controls and the glider will tend to fly a steady airspeed. Pitch stability is achieved by a balancing act between the horizontal stabilizer, wing lift, and the _____ __ ____.

During a left turn on aerotow: A. You should see the left side of the towplane. B. You should see the right side of the towplane. C. You should see both sides of the towplane.

The Average Test Score 37%

Ignorance Glider pilots do not have the knowledge to fly safely.

And, much of what they think they know is not correct.

Much of What You Think You Know is Incorrect. • The thermal is on the side the wing rises. • Thermals lean downwind. • Most glider fatalities are stall/spins.

Thermal

Much of What You Think You Know is Incorrect. • The thermal is on the side the wing rises. • Thermals lean downwind. • Most glider fatalities are stall/spins.

Few fatalities are the result of stalling. Most landing accidents are the result of:

1. Flying too close on the downwind leg. 2. Losing too much altitude on the downwind leg. 3. Turning onto base leg too early. 4. Turning onto final too low & too close.

A B

Final Approach Angle B A X

The Blue Book Reviews common emergencies (42) on tow. Reminds everyone they all play a role in each other’s safety.

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

Why You Do Not Know What You Don’t Know.

THE INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE • CFIs • FAA Examiners • Books There are no secrets.

You Hold The Key

You had a choice when you began taking flying lessons. What’s keeping you from becoming a great pilot?

Have a vision – a goal. Your history does not control your future.

Edwin Lorenz The Butterfly Effect The idea is stated something to the effect of, “A butterfly flapping its wings in Tokyo could cause tornadoes in California. ”

You Can Be That Butterfly • You are a person of action. • The decision to NOT make a decision is a decision!

Do List Read Review Fly - observe

If It Was Easy, Everyone Would Be Doing It!

We Have Been Successful. • 42 years • No fatalities.

How? We take our responsibilities seriously. The FAA sets the standards. The legal system enforces those standards.

• What I write must comply with the standards. • We demand our students have the knowledge and skills implied by those standards. • Anything less than a 100% is not a passing grade.

Books We Use In Our School Specifically designed to comply with all FAA flight training requirements.

It is in the air that one feels the glory of being a man and of conquering the elements. There is an exquisite smoothness of motion and the joy of gliding through space. It is wonderful! Gabriele D’Annunzio 1909

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