Signalling the Winch

The signaling system from the launch caravan to the winch consists of a powerful lamp (with a beeper so that anyone behind the lamp is also aware of what's happening) and a box with 3 pushbuttons for 'take up slack', 'all out' and 'stop'. Easy eh? Well, unless you want a personal visit from the winch-driver to address your shortcomings with a pickaxe handle there's a bit more to it than that. As with nearly everything else airside, before attempting to use the equipment make sure you have had a briefing; and if you're not sure, leave it alone.

Before the first launch of the day the winch-driver will want to know that he can see the lamp ok. First check through the lamp sight that it is correctly pointed at the winch and adjust as necessary. Then after an appropriate radio dialogue hold the 'stop' button for a few seconds and check for a favourable response from the winch-driver.

While a glider is being prepared for the launch take the time to make sure you know what sort it is and if you're not sure - ask. The winch-driver will adjust his launching technique to suit the type of glider on the wire. Also this is a good time to make sure that the launch log is filled in with the glider callsign and pilot's name.

When you can see that the wing-runner is going to lift the wing ready for launching, call the winch on the radio and announce:
"Winch, Launch-point, xxx on North/South cable"
(Replace xxx with the type of glider and if it's a solo pilot in a 2-seater add that information also.)
If it's the second launch of the pair you can omit which cable it is (ie it's the only one left). This will show awareness.
So for instance you might call:
"Winch, Launch-point, K21 solo pilot on North cable".

Then wait for an acknowledgement from the winch-driver which might range from a repeat of the information to a simple grunt depending on the weather/time of day/how he's feeling/what sort of a night he had......

Note - don't make the radio call too early because the winch driver will then need to peer into the distance for an unreasonable length of time looking for the 'take up slack' signal. If there's no response, wait a reasonable time before resending. The winch-driver might be attending to some problem or another rather than just falling asleep. Lastly, don't make the call while the winch driver is visibly half-way down the track in the truck - this just demonstrates that you aren't paying attention and depending on the weather/time of day etc. it might cause him to reach for the pickaxe handle. However don't start the signaling without the radio call - nothing will happen!

If the winch-driver requests to know which cable it is for the second launch, the accepted response is:
"Winch, Launch-point, remaining cable".
This shows awareness and superiority but should be used with caution.

Now check that you can see the wing-runner or whoever is signaling the launch. If you can't, yell at people until you can, or arrange for someone to copy the launch signals. Don't start if you can't see.

 Now at last it's the easy bit. When the signaler signals 'take up slack' (you do know what that is don't you!!) press and hold the appropriate button. Check that the sound is correct (slow beeps) just in case you've pressed the wrong one or something else has failed. When the signal changes to 'all out' change buttons appropriately. All the time guard the 'stop' button so that you can take immediate action if something goes wrong. Remember, anyone can shout 'stop' and the correct action is to press and hold the 'stop' button for at least 5 seconds or until you can see that the winch has responded. Time enough later to find out what the problem was. Assuming that nothing went wrong, hold the 'all out' button until the glider is far enough up (say100') for the winch driver to see it clearly.

Lastly, make sure that the launch time got entered correctly in the log.

page last updated on 4th October 2002 (c)2002 and the

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