Chapter 6 PreFlight & Ground Operations

Question 1

What are the documents required in the glider?

Answer 1

ARROW
Airworthiness certificate
Registration
Radio License for International travel
Operating manual & placards
Weight and balance data

Question 2

What is the CAC?

Answer 2

Glider Critical Assembly Checklist. Provided by the glider manufacturer.

Question 3

What should be done prior to assembly of glider?

Answer 3

Inventory tools and parts.

Question 4

What is important when doing the glider assembly?

Answer 4

Don’t allow yourself to be distracted. Review & verify checklist steps every 3 steps.

Question 5

How long should the tow line be when moving the glider?

Answer 5

1/2 the wingspan + 10 feet to avoid the wing hitting the tow car if one wing grounds.

Question 6

What 3 steps should be done when moving a glider?

Answer 6

1. Close canopy.
2. Slower than 4 mph.
3. Person in cockpit & at least one wing walker. In windy conditions use 2 wing walkers, one on tail, and one in cockpit.

Question 7

When should the tow rope be inspected?

Answer 7

Before each flight.

Question 8

What should tow rope be checked for?

Answer 8

No frays. No knots. 14 CFR Part 91 Tow rope inspection

Question 9

How should the tow rope be rated?

Answer 9

80 - 200% of the gross glider weight.

Question 10

What should be used if the tow rope is stronger than 200% of gross glider weight?

Answer 10

Weak Links. One on the glider and one on the tow plane.
Glider Weak Link rating = 80 - 200% of glider gross weight
Tow Plane Weak Link rating = 1 - 25% greater than glider Weak Link but no more than 200% of glider gross weight

Question 11

What are the two types of tow hooks?

Answer 11

Schweizer - over the top
Tost - Latch type. Most common

Question 12

What are the typical diameters of tow ropes?

Answer 12

3/16” 1/4” 5/16”

Question 13

Pre Launch Signals (PLS)
Rotating thumb

Answer 13

Check controls

Question 14

PLS - Closed Fist

Answer 14

Close tow hook

Question 15

PLS - Open Hand

Answer 15

Open tow hook

Question 16

PLS - Raise Wing

Answer 16

Thumbs up

Question 17

PLS - Take up tow line slack

Answer 17

Shoulder high swinging of arm

Question 18

PLS - Swing arm 360

Answer 18

Begin take-off

Question 19

PLS - Stop

Answer 19

Hands up with thumbs together

Question 20

PLS - Stop Operation

Answer 20

Wave arms above head

Question 21

PLS - Release tow line

Answer 21

Cut throat

Question 22

In Flight Signal (IFS)
Tow plane rocks wings

Answer 22

Glider releases tow line

Question 23

IFS - Tow plane wags rudder

Answer 23

Something wrong with glider. Check if airbrakes are deployed.

Question 24

IFS - Glider rocks wings

Answer 24

Tow plane should go faster

Question 25

IFS - Glider wags rudder

Answer 25

Tow plane should slow down

Question 26

IFS - Glider goes out to the left of tow plane and rocks wings?

Answer 26

Glider can't release tow line

Question 27

IFS - Glider pulls tow plane tail to right

Answer 27

Tow plane should go left

Question 28

IFS - Glider pulls tow plane tail to the left

Answer 28

Tow plane should go right

Question 29

A tow line should never be connected to a glider unless ....?

Answer 29

A pilot is in the cockpit of the glider. If getting out of the glider, release the tow line.

Question 30

When should the tow line be attached?

Answer 30

After the checklist is completed.

Question 31

What should the tow pilot and glider pilot discuss prior to take-off?

Answer 31

An agreed launch plan. Direction/destination of launch, release altitude, glider pilot's intention for flight (cross country, landing pattern, ....)

Question 32

What is the ground crew responsible for?

Answer 32

Air field clearance, pattern clearance slack take-up, wing runner, ready for take off signal,

Question 33

What signal does the glider pilot give for ready to take-off?

Answer 33

Flap rudder.

Question 34

How is cross wind take-off prepared?

Answer 34

Aileron towards upwind and rudder towards downwind.

Question 35

What does a cross wind take-off do to the glider?

Answer 35

It pushes the rudder downwind so that glider turns. into the wind.

Question 36

What position should the glider maintain during tow?

Answer 36

High position to avoid wake. Flying in wake causes drag. But not so high that glider pulls up tail of tow. Tow plane wheels on horizon.

Question 37

What are the steps taken for tow line release?

Answer 37

1. Clear area 2. Release Clear rope 3. Turn right 4. Maintain level flight 5. Adjust trim

Question 38

How is slack line adjusted?

Answer 38

1. Yaw away from the slack line 2. Gentle application of the airbrakes followed by gentle retraction. Always re-lock airbrakes. 3. If slack becomes excessive, or come close to looping around the wing, release the line.

Question 39

Why does slack tow line occur?

Answer 39

1. Rapid pitch down of glider trying to recover from being high on tow. 2. Turbulence 3. Turning too far inside the tow plane 4. Tow plane power reduction