More Ways NOT to Move Your Glider

Reader-submitted golf cart towing suggestions:

• Carry a Fire extinguisher to help prevent the photo from last week.
• Most golf carts are not designed for the abuse we give them running around an airport. The plastic pieces or tall grass might--or one reader insists, will--start a fire.
• One club suggests running the rope through a tire. When the rope gets slack, it will either back release or wedge itself under the main gear.
• The wing walker should be on the downwind side, it makes it easier to steer because of the weather vane tendency of the glider.
• Turn the golf cart off, remove the key, and put it in neutral. One CFI got yelled at by a parent when their child jumped on a cart, sorted out how to get the cart moving, and attempted to run someone over.
• Use bungee cords in addition to the tow rope (bungee cord alone will overstretch). It softens jerky movements. A bungee cord is also more forgiving than a  tight rope, so when someone trips over it, they are less likely to face plant.

Tow Bars are great... until they break the rudder and elevator:

• Your car may fit, but that doesn't necessarily mean the glider will.
• When you slam on the brakes the glider will try and pass the car.
• If you are towing too fast, the tail-wheel may jump from the bar.
• If the wing wheel is misguidedly placed on the upwind side, the wing may drop.

Other reasons repair stations stay in business:

• If you put the car in reverse and there is a glider behind it, you will hit the glider.
• If you don't lock the canopy, the wind may open it and break the hinges.
• Mowing and weed whacking near the aircraft can cause rocks to be thrown at very high speed at/through the aircraft.

Ground towing with a towplane

• Make sure you communicate with the towpilot. If you think the towplane is being used as a tow cart to re-stage the glider, but the towpilot thinks you are flying, you will have a problem.

Moving the glider on the ground can cause as much damage as an accident. Even if it is minor and nobody gets hurt (the most important part), you still lose the glider for part of your soaring season. It is important to make sure that everyone involved in moving the glider around is on the same page for what is going on and how the glider will be moved.

Photo:  Anna Klopocka

 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.