Safe winch launching
Whilst UK gliding has made great progress over the many years of the safe winch launching campaign, new pilots need to understand the issues and existing pilots need to be periodically reminded about the available guidance.
This Dutch report into a tragic accident references BGA safe winch launching information published in the BGA Student Pilot Manual and on the BGA safe winch launching webpages. Both of those BGA publications have been developed and published to support new and existing glider pilots.
The Dutch report also highlights a known issue that new owners of gliders with all flying tailplanes may be unaware of, ie uncommanded pitch up during winch launch acceleration. Any pilot who has concerns should talk to their CFI.