Pre Flight ChecksPre Flight Checks

Before Getting In the Glider:Before Getting In the Glider: Assess the conditions and your Assess the conditions and your

landing options in case of a launch landing options in case of a launch failure.failure.

Make sure you meet the Ballast Make sure you meet the Ballast requirements.requirements.

If you are not familiar with the If you are not familiar with the aircraft, read the placard.aircraft, read the placard.

PlacardPlacard

CBSIFTCBECBSIFTCBE ControlsControls BallastBallast StrapsStraps InstrumentsInstruments FlapsFlaps TrimTrim CanopyCanopy BrakesBrakes EventualitiesEventualities

ControlsControls Controls are full and free:Controls are full and free: Move the stick fully forward, fully aft, Move the stick fully forward, fully aft,

full right, full left.full right, full left. With full left rudder move the stick With full left rudder move the stick

around the extremities of the controlsaround the extremities of the controls With full Right rudder move the stick With full Right rudder move the stick

around the extremities of the controlsaround the extremities of the controls

BallastBallast I am over the minimum solo weight I am over the minimum solo weight

for the glider (Taking into account for the glider (Taking into account the proportion of the weight of the the proportion of the weight of the instructor in the rear seat that counts instructor in the rear seat that counts towards the minimum solo weight)towards the minimum solo weight)

The combined weight of myself and The combined weight of myself and the instructor is below the max the instructor is below the max weight.weight.

StrapsStraps Straps are tight.Straps are tight. Lap strap is tightened first, then Lap strap is tightened first, then

shoulder strapsshoulder straps

InstrumentsInstruments Instruments are zeroed, no broken glass.Instruments are zeroed, no broken glass. Altimeter is set to either:Altimeter is set to either: QFE – Field ElevationQFE – Field Elevation QNH – Height above sea levelQNH – Height above sea level

ASIASI ASI is at zero, often a ASI is at zero, often a

white dot at the white dot at the bottom of the dial. bottom of the dial. Yellow triangle is min Yellow triangle is min approach speed. approach speed. Green line is normal Green line is normal operating range, operating range, yellow line is above yellow line is above Va. (Max Rough Va. (Max Rough Air).Red line is VNE.Air).Red line is VNE.

FlapsFlaps

If flaps are fitted, check full and free If flaps are fitted, check full and free movement, and configure for launch.movement, and configure for launch.

TrimTrim Move fully forward, fully aft.Move fully forward, fully aft.

Set for the approach speed for the Set for the approach speed for the conditionsconditions

CanopyCanopy Canopy is closed and locked, and Canopy is closed and locked, and

resists upward pressureresists upward pressure

EventualitiesEventualities Check that conditions have not Check that conditions have not

changed since you considered this changed since you considered this before getting in the gliderbefore getting in the glider

Check conditions have not Check conditions have not deteriorated or canopy is misting to deteriorated or canopy is misting to the extent that launching is unwisethe extent that launching is unwise

Accept the CableAccept the Cable ‘‘Brakes Closed and Locked, Cable on Brakes Closed and Locked, Cable on

Please’Please’ Check you have the correct colour Check you have the correct colour

weak link.weak link. Left hand on the yellow knobLeft hand on the yellow knob Prepare for launch failurePrepare for launch failure