Failed Checklist
What's wrong with the picture above? It's a battery connection. A few weeks ago when the pilot who will remain nameless switched to Battery 2 mid-flight everything electrical failed...jet engine, radio, flight computer, transponder, and electric vario.
Why would you not want to ruin a possibly 900km day with a measly 400km flight because you ran out of battery? Well based on the picture above running out of battery is not the best description. Plugging it in wrong and calling it pilot error is more appropriate. The pilot will remain nameless since he has been featured as a nameless pilot before in these newsletters, so I thank him for topic ideas.
Missing out on one of the best days of the year is unfortunate. Failing to connect the elevator push-rod is deadly. How do you double check or independently check that you have done the required items? There was an article already regarding checklist ideas, even starting on Wednesday before flying on Saturday.
At a contest in the US, it is mandatory that you do a critical assembly check. A separate check to confirm the glider is safe to fly and hooked up properly.
It is a good idea to run all of your systems prior to departure. I made this mistake at the SGP with my logger and did not have it turned on when I departed. Luckily I had a backup logger.
Understand your electrical system and what powers what items. In the picture of Battery 2 above, Battery 2 cannot start the engine. So when Battery 1 is depleted the engine would not be able to start.
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Garret Willat holds a flight instructor rating with over 8000 hours in sailplanes. His parents have owned Sky Sailing Inc. since 1979. He started instructing the day after his 18th birthday. Since then, Garret has represented the US Junior team in 2003 and 2005. He graduated from Embry-Riddle with a bachelor's degree in Professional Aeronautics. Garret represented the US Open Class team in 2008 and 2010 and the Club Class team in 2014. Garret has won 3 US National Championships.