Spares and Pit Crews

Parowan Utah was the home of the Sports Class Nationals 2012 (same event as mentioned in last weeks newsletter). I managed to borrow a Ventus CA, it was a little rough around the edges but it went well enough to get team selection points.

After staging we went out to the glider to grid and the tire was completely flat. Ethan who had been crewing for my Brother for many years raced back with the trailer. We lifted the glider on the trailer dolly, removed the main wheel, replaced the tube, reinstalled, rotated the glider on the grid in under 15 minutes.

Uvalde TX is known for eating tires, everything from wing wheels to RV tires. Not just prepping your glider with a new wheel works there, you must bring spares. Many wing wheels use solid rubber tires or foam filled.

JP Stewart from the US Junior team had an adventure in Hobbs NM in 2015 when the sealed bearing fell apart on the main wheel.

I always carry spares, if I am not going to be on the podium I want it to be because of piloting mistakes and not mechanical mishaps. For the JWGC 2015 contest we brought, 1 spare tube, 1 complete wheel (wheel, tire and tube), wingtip skids, tail wheels. All courtesy of Wings and Wheels.

Banner Photo by Mika Ganszauge

400x4 tube

The 400 x 4 Tube is the most common size found in gliders. It is much easier to change while doing preventative maintenance then at the airport while everyone else is launching.

Garret Willat's spares list:

Complete main wheel, Tail wheel tube, Wingtip skids, TE probe, Fuses, Wing tape, Mylar, Safety tape, Transfer tape, Cloth tape, Camelback, Canopy polish, Wax, Water meter, Logger, Battery connectors, Battery charger, Wing stand, Radio

 

garret willat  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.