hook in faliure (almost)
hook in faliure (almost)
My normal procedure is to hook in my harness to the glider and then get into my harness. A new step was added to the procedure because my new radio PTT is hard wired and needs to be dealt with. I remember looking at my hang strap and back up. I remember screwing my carbineer closed. I walked up to launch. Andy Beem was my nose man. He asked me if I was going to do a hang check. I said No. I'm already hooked in. He said I wasn't. I repeated I am hooked in. He looked me straight in the face and said your not hooked in. He looked so sincere that I turned around to grab it and prove I was. I wasn't.
I don't like doing several checks on launch. Standing on launch is where one is most vulnerable. I think a pilot should be paying attention to conditions not turning around backwards. That is unless you have a nose man paying attention for you. Anyway, in the future I am going to adopt Greg Kendall's method. Create a dead man's line back from launch which I do not cross unless I double check.
I don't like doing several checks on launch. Standing on launch is where one is most vulnerable. I think a pilot should be paying attention to conditions not turning around backwards. That is unless you have a nose man paying attention for you. Anyway, in the future I am going to adopt Greg Kendall's method. Create a dead man's line back from launch which I do not cross unless I double check.
eat right, exercise, die anyway!
hook in failure (almost)
Failure to hook in is my biggest fear in hang gliding!I'm glad it was caught before a launch attempt but it put fear in me how close it was.
hook in failure (almost)
Failure to hook in is my biggest fear in hang gliding!I'm glad it was caught before a launch attempt but it put fear in me how close it was.
hook in failure (almost)
Failure to hook in is my biggest fear in hang gliding!I'm glad it was caught before a launch attempt but it put fear in me how close it was.
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
Thankful!!
So thankful to hear of this good-news-story-ending! A great reminder for all of us.
Dr. Jeff
Dr. Jeff
Jeff Bjorck
www.purepiano.com ~quiet music to calm the heart in a noisy world~
www.purepiano.com ~quiet music to calm the heart in a noisy world~
"Joe Greblo Hook-In Check"
My routine is to do some ground handling on launch, put the glider down, and do a "Joe Greblo Hook-In Check". Sorry for the people behind me but that is how I was taught!
I watched another pilot launch unhooked using your (Jonathan's) technique.
As many agree, all systems can fail when you fail to use them.
I believe the absolute largest cause of failures to hook in can be attributed to the pilot's belief that it won't happen to him because he has a good system.
Greg Kendall's technique is centered around several "hook in" checks while on launch, and timed as closely to the launch run as possible.
Windsports supports this concept by promoting adherence to 3 principles…..
1. Due to the many possible distractions on launch, I'm a prime candidate for a hook-in failure.
2. A hook-in check expires every 15 seconds.
3. A hook-in check should be the last thing you do before the decision to run. If not, do it again.
As many agree, all systems can fail when you fail to use them.
I believe the absolute largest cause of failures to hook in can be attributed to the pilot's belief that it won't happen to him because he has a good system.
Greg Kendall's technique is centered around several "hook in" checks while on launch, and timed as closely to the launch run as possible.
Windsports supports this concept by promoting adherence to 3 principles…..
1. Due to the many possible distractions on launch, I'm a prime candidate for a hook-in failure.
2. A hook-in check expires every 15 seconds.
3. A hook-in check should be the last thing you do before the decision to run. If not, do it again.
Safety is a book, not a word
Michael Robertson
Michael Robertson
I watched another pilot launch unhooked using your (Jonathan's) technique.
As many agree, all systems can fail when you fail to use them.
I believe the absolute largest cause of failures to hook in can be attributed to the pilot's belief that it won't happen to him because he has a good system.
Greg Kendall's technique is centered around several "hook in" checks while on launch, and timed as closely to the launch run as possible.
Windsports supports this concept by promoting adherence to 3 principles…..
1. Due to the many possible distractions on launch, I'm a good candidate for a hook-in failure.
2. Your hook-in check expires every 15 seconds.
3. A hook-in check should be the last thing you do before the decision to run. If not, do it again.
As many agree, all systems can fail when you fail to use them.
I believe the absolute largest cause of failures to hook in can be attributed to the pilot's belief that it won't happen to him because he has a good system.
Greg Kendall's technique is centered around several "hook in" checks while on launch, and timed as closely to the launch run as possible.
Windsports supports this concept by promoting adherence to 3 principles…..
1. Due to the many possible distractions on launch, I'm a good candidate for a hook-in failure.
2. Your hook-in check expires every 15 seconds.
3. A hook-in check should be the last thing you do before the decision to run. If not, do it again.
Safety is a book, not a word
Michael Robertson
Michael Robertson
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- Posts: 68
- Joined: Sun Dec 24, 2006 9:42 am
It’s been mentioned that my hook-in verification technique is to establish a line that cannot be crossed without checking everything. It’s also been mentioned that it’s doing repeated checks on launch. Actually, it’s both of those things, plus hooking in at the setup location. The idea is massive redundancy. If I was perfect, I might use just one check. I’m not perfect. I need a system that can tolerate some brain farts.
There are good arguments for doing a hook-in check immediately before launch. There are also good arguments for doing that off of launch where there are fewer distractions. I say do both. There’s more at http://www.shga.com/forum/phpBB2/viewto ... 8&start=20
There are good arguments for doing a hook-in check immediately before launch. There are also good arguments for doing that off of launch where there are fewer distractions. I say do both. There’s more at http://www.shga.com/forum/phpBB2/viewto ... 8&start=20
I believe I perform the Lift and Tug in a manner that will not produce a false tug upon my groin area. But we should all be wary of false verification using any technique. Even hang checks have resulted in pilot separation and so has using the Aussie method of first attaching the harness. Muscle memory and habit can just as easily end a pilot as secure a pilot.greblo wrote:I watched another pilot launch unhooked using your (Jonathan's) technique....
Pseudo-inspections are key to disaster and they happen because of human nature. Know your nature and know your own pitfalls.
Re: hook in faliure (almost)
Have you considered adhering to the requirements of your proficiency rating, jdevorak?jdevorak wrote:My normal procedure is to hook in my harness to the glider and then get into my harness. A new step was added to the procedure because my new radio PTT is hard wired and needs to be dealt with.
There's nothing like a visual. Turn around and look to see if you're hooked in. I do it on launch all the time.
Also, my good friend J Shelly used to tell me, "Never refuse a hang check." I understand pilots are in the moment when they are walking to launch but one more check doesn't hurt.
As someone who has been on pilots' nose wires when they did their hang check, I was frequently asked, "How does everything look?" by the pilot--who was looking down. My response was, "Think it looks fine but you may want to look for yourself."
Best not to rely on others' eyeballs.
There is no ONE solution--ALL are wonderful.
Also, my good friend J Shelly used to tell me, "Never refuse a hang check." I understand pilots are in the moment when they are walking to launch but one more check doesn't hurt.
As someone who has been on pilots' nose wires when they did their hang check, I was frequently asked, "How does everything look?" by the pilot--who was looking down. My response was, "Think it looks fine but you may want to look for yourself."
Best not to rely on others' eyeballs.
There is no ONE solution--ALL are wonderful.
Carabineer Position
While using Ron's Tenax 3 while I was in AZ, hook in checks before launching were of course taking care of themselves since you are lying down in the cart before launching.
However, the issue I had was the carabineer rotating on me and laying on the locking gate. This was primarily because there was nothing to keep the orientation of the carabineer from rotating.
My new Tenax 4 has an "O" ring to keep this from happening. So a hook in check is good, but it should also include a process that ensures your carabineer cannot be oriented incorrectly.![Rolling Eyes :roll:](./images/smilies/icon_rolleyes.gif)
However, the issue I had was the carabineer rotating on me and laying on the locking gate. This was primarily because there was nothing to keep the orientation of the carabineer from rotating.
My new Tenax 4 has an "O" ring to keep this from happening. So a hook in check is good, but it should also include a process that ensures your carabineer cannot be oriented incorrectly.
![Rolling Eyes :roll:](./images/smilies/icon_rolleyes.gif)