With respect to the fatal at Woodside
Hard to know what the distraction for Jon was, but with any tandems I have ever done, my procedure was always to hook passenger in first with my harness hooked in as well beside him, or her, then I could give them a hang check and visually inspect for myself that all was done properly , plus I could check the height of my passenger in accordance with myself,
Then I would have my passenger and or helper hold the wing whilst I hooked myself in.
In both cases, I would do a verbal explaining to my passenger that I was hooking them first , to the main strap then the safety.
We would then both do a hang check together at this point and if all was well, we would proceed to launch.
I would never count on anyone to do the hookin for me.
I was always grateful for anyone asking me if I wanted another hang check.
The problem the way I,m seeing it here other than the obvious failure to hook her in, is the lack of anyone else watching to notice this deficiency.
It has always been in the past, encumbent on all other pilots in the vicinity to take it upon themselves to be extra vigilant in making sure that the launching pilot was good to go.
Someone always stepped up to help
Now, with PGand HG launching from the same ramp, I am noticing a reluctance by either sports to help out.
We all need to make sure that every launching pilot has one person at least asking the pilot if all checks have been done and also doing a visual themselves.
IMHO
The bottom line is that we all need to look out for each other.
I once launched without getting into my legstraps.
My buddy Pedro couldn,t figure out why I was doing a wheel landing
He has always since then, always asked me and I him if we are all done up.
Leg straps, chest buckles hooked in and hang checks!!!
It,s gotta be'" THE CODE AMONGST ALL PILOTS"
PeteR
In how many cases has it been that the pilot is the last to launch with no one around.
I have to tell myself to slow down when Im last .. watching every other pilot climb out and get excited
When I am on launch at any site, if im just standing around I always ask if the pilot on launch if she or he would like a hang check or wire Help ... Just the way I I have been trained by some skyriders.. I guess
In how many cases has it been that the pilot is the last to launch with no one around.
I have to tell myself to slow down when Im last .. watching every other pilot climb out and get excited
When I am on launch at any site, if im just standing around I always ask if the pilot on launch if she or he would like a hang check or wire Help ... Just the way I I have been trained by some skyriders.. I guess
Pass it along
And you are Deep. I thank you for that brother. I did the same for years. You are doing a good thing man. You have been a good addition to the club. And I like what you said. I have been alone on launch many times. Just keep checking that you clipped in and strong launch brother. _________________ Always a student.
"The mountain doesn't care what that card in your wallet says." - Bruce Stobbe
I may kid about leg loops checks but it is serious business same as hookin. No matter what method u use. I continous do walk throughs and checks as I walk up to launch.
Get a routine and stick to it. I do ask if pilots want a hang check and I will do a few others visual inspection like the leg loops, knots, zippers, buckles, chin strap etc.
This time at diablo I actually did a lay down hang check. Usually I do my own walk thru and checks. This time I decided to lay since I just replaced all my lines and repack the chute. I gave it a good bounce or two.
It is SERIOUS BUSINESS your life depends on it. Do not let distraction get to u.
I repeat and check the " L's"
Loops- check hang loops are secure and in the right place
Locked- Biner is latched and locked
Lines- Lines are straight
Length- during hang check my height over the bar is correct
Legs- leg loops are secure
Lid- chin strap is secure.
anything else to add?
Lets be safe out there
Tim _________________ I have a fever…And the only prescription… is more Cowbell!!
If you want to pick a government to trust....why not this one!
Based on the anecdotes that I have heard, I suspect that in the majority of failure-to-hook-in accidents, the pilot was hooked in at some point prior to the ill-fated launch. I've lost track of how many of these stories include the words "he backed off of launch and unhooked" (including the one that I witnessed). In my opinion, unhooking has got to be one of the most dangerous things one can do, inviting a disaster. You have the memory in your head of having hooked in, but you are not hooked in. No matter how many checks you've done before that point, they all go out the window once you open up that carabiner. One of my instructors told me that he would never under any circumstances unhook a 'biner with his helmet on (and putting on his helmet was the last thing he always did when getting ready). That way if he was ever unhooked, he would have his bare head as a reminder that he had to do all of the checks over again. My approach is to never unhook my harness from the glider unless I am in an LZ from where it's not possible to launch (in that case I might unhook before moving my glider to the edge of the field, depending on conditions and circumstances). I really think that in most cases, it's not "failure to hook in", but "failure to hook back in". Don't give that scenario a chance to arise. _________________ H4 + various skills (only foot-launch so far)
WW UltraSport 147, WW Falcon2 170, PacAir Vision Mark IV 17
My HG wiki profile and my flying blog
Based on the anecdotes that I have heard, I suspect that in the majority of failure-to-hook-in accidents, the pilot was hooked in at some point prior to the ill-fated launch. I've lost track of how many of these stories include the words "he backed off of launch and unhooked" (including the one that I witnessed). In my opinion, unhooking has got to be one of the most dangerous things one can do, inviting a disaster. You have the memory in your head of having hooked in, but you are not hooked in. No matter how many checks you've done before that point, they all go out the window once you open up that carabiner. One of my instructors told me that he would never under any circumstances unhook a 'biner with his helmet on (and putting on his helmet was the last thing he always did when getting ready). That way if he was ever unhooked, he would have his bare head as a reminder that he had to do all of the checks over again. My approach is to never unhook my harness from the glider unless I am in an LZ from where it's not possible to launch (in that case I might unhook before moving my glider to the edge of the field, depending on conditions and circumstances). I really think that in most cases, it's not "failure to hook in", but "failure to hook back in". Don't give that scenario a chance to arise.
I only wish but I can't get into my harness if its hooked in, all about the tight fit. No, I'm not going to go buy another new harness!
Every one has their own system and, to be honest, most of these systems work well 99.9% of the time. Thank God FTHI tragedies are very rare.
Helping and being friendly on launch is always a plus as long as the emphasis is on being friendly.
I repeat and check the " L's"
Loops- check hang loops are secure and in the right place
Locked- Biner is latched and locked
Lines- Lines are straight
Length- during hang check my height over the bar is correct
Legs- leg loops are secure
Lid- chin strap is secure.
anything else to add?
Lets be safe out there
Tim
one more addition. make sure the laundry is secure w/ pins in place
I repeat and check the " L's"
Loops- check hang loops are secure and in the right place
Locked- Biner is latched and locked
Lines- Lines are straight
Length- during hang check my height over the bar is correct
Legs- leg loops are secure
Laundry-make sure the laundry is secure w/ pins in place
Lid- chin strap is secure.
anything else to add?
Lets be safe out there
Tim
one more addition. make sure the laundry is secure w/ pins in place
I like it.
Thanks _________________ I have a fever…And the only prescription… is more Cowbell!!
If you want to pick a government to trust....why not this one!
Based on the anecdotes that I have heard, I suspect that in the majority of failure-to-hook-in accidents, the pilot was hooked in at some point prior to the ill-fated launch. I've lost track of how many of these stories include the words "he backed off of launch and unhooked" (including the one that I witnessed). In my opinion, unhooking has got to be one of the most dangerous things one can do, inviting a disaster. You have the memory in your head of having hooked in, but you are not hooked in. No matter how many checks you've done before that point, they all go out the window once you open up that carabiner. One of my instructors told me that he would never under any circumstances unhook a 'biner with his helmet on (and putting on his helmet was the last thing he always did when getting ready). That way if he was ever unhooked, he would have his bare head as a reminder that he had to do all of the checks over again. My approach is to never unhook my harness from the glider unless I am in an LZ from where it's not possible to launch (in that case I might unhook before moving my glider to the edge of the field, depending on conditions and circumstances). I really think that in most cases, it's not "failure to hook in", but "failure to hook back in". Don't give that scenario a chance to arise.
I only wish but I can't get into my harness if its hooked in, all about the tight fit. No, I'm not going to go buy another new harness!
Every one has their own system and, to be honest, most of these systems work well 99.9% of the time. Thank God FTHI tragedies are very rare.
Helping and being friendly on launch is always a plus as long as the emphasis is on being friendly.
I'm assuming you've tried getting into the harness when it's hooked in, and I won't object to your doing it the way that works for you, but I'll encourage people to not ever unhook and then stay in the control frame with the helmet on. Taking the helmet off may not work for you either, but at least get out from under the glider! Don't let yourself remain in a position where everything else if fine but you aren't hooked in. This is asking for trouble. If you're just backing off a few feet to wait for wind, stay hooked in. If it's more than that, then do more than just unhooking. _________________ H4 + various skills (only foot-launch so far)
WW UltraSport 147, WW Falcon2 170, PacAir Vision Mark IV 17
My HG wiki profile and my flying blog
It has always been in the past, encumbent on all other pilots in the vicinity to take it upon themselves to be extra vigilant in making sure that the launching pilot was good to go.
I always take it upon myself to check out those launching. I don't care if there's liability or not....
I just hate it when someone takes away my flying day due to a rescue.
No really...
_________________ "Tow me up. I'll find my way down"
Kansas City Hang Glider Supplies
Guggenmos E7
WW U2 145
WW F1 195
FlyTec 6015
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Torrey Hawk #212
I talked to an experienced pilot over the weekend that told me he liked talking to us new guys because it reminded him of the basics. All a new guy knows is launch and landing, especially the safety measures during both. I haven't heard of a new guy launching without being hooked in. ::in my most sagely voice:: With great experience, comes great responsibility, to always remind yourself of the basics. _________________ H2, Pulse 10
Practice due diligence and always be there for your buddies
Lets make it THE CODE OF FOOT LAUNCHED PILOTS
Say it to your self and anyone on launch.
Just f#@king do it.
It,s THE CODE !!
say it and do it.
PeteR
When you see a pilot doing his own check, DON'T INTERRUPT HIM -- not even with a friendly "Have a great flight dude." We all joke, laugh, and kid around (we are crazy, after all!), but wing and hang checks should be solemn times.
And if someone interrupts you in your own check, start over. At several thousand feet, you don't want to be asking questions that begin with "Did I remember to . . . ."
If someone's finished their check and they don't seem to have anyone around helping them, then I agree with the other posts that we should all donate a minute or two for the good of our brothers/sisters to offer to do another check for them. I have never been turned down when I've offered, and always been thanked afterwards. Oh, and I HAVE found things that were missed, usually followed by an even bigger 'thank you'!
Likewise, my own comfort level always goes up when another pilot offers to check my rig before I fly as well. (Now, I will say that when you are helping another pilot, especially when they are about ready to launch, don't touch anything, just talk. If you see something that concerns you, tell him, and offer to help.)
Flying safe is more fun than . . . the alternative.
Based on the anecdotes that I have heard, I suspect that in the majority of failure-to-hook-in accidents, the pilot was hooked in at some point prior to the ill-fated launch. I've lost track of how many of these stories include the words "he backed off of launch and unhooked" (including the one that I witnessed). In my opinion, unhooking has got to be one of the most dangerous things one can do, inviting a disaster. You have the memory in your head of having hooked in, but you are not hooked in. No matter how many checks you've done before that point, they all go out the window once you open up that carabiner. One of my instructors told me that he would never under any circumstances unhook a 'biner with his helmet on (and putting on his helmet was the last thing he always did when getting ready). That way if he was ever unhooked, he would have his bare head as a reminder that he had to do all of the checks over again. My approach is to never unhook my harness from the glider unless I am in an LZ from where it's not possible to launch (in that case I might unhook before moving my glider to the edge of the field, depending on conditions and circumstances). I really think that in most cases, it's not "failure to hook in", but "failure to hook back in". Don't give that scenario a chance to arise.
forgot to hook back in,yup thats me! _________________ I have a dead hot water heater in my front yard.
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