The Wing Runner: is an Important and critical active member of the MSC Safety
Launch team. Not only is every member a Wing Runner but also the eyes and ears of
the glider pilot.
The following ‘WING RUNNER’ guidelines are fundamental to launch safety.

The objective of every ‘WING RUNNER’ is to grasp the full spectrum of a safe flightLine launch culture and safety conscious launch discipline…and implement them with
every launch.

In the true MSC spirit of a Safe Flight-Line Culture the MSC Wing-Runner offers the
highest Safe Ground- Handling launch experience possible, and:

Will assist the glider pilot with all Ground-Handling needs, pertinent to a Safe Launch.

Must always use the ‘Hooked, Wooden-Baton, Rope-Retriever’ to handle the Tow
Rope.

Will not interfere with the Pilot(s) during Flight Preparation in the cockpit, and will
remain at a convenient distance from the glider until the pilot requests cockpit help or
a Tow-Rope Hook Up.

Although it is the Pilot in Command's (P1) responsibility to check the Tow Rope for
knots and the condition of the Tow-Rope Connector ring; removing the Tail Dolly;
Closing and Locking all canopies; Closing and Locking the Air Brakes, it is always the
prudent Wing Runner who will scan for any over-looked safety issues.

Astute airmanship is always a major safety value.

Rarely is an accident an accident! Advise the pilot of any concerns.

Note: Some Glider Pilots crack the Air Brakes until appropriate acceleration and
speed have been reached. If in doubt, request Pilot input before launch.

As a vital safety discipline, always run the wing tip that represents the shortest
distance to exit the runway. (Run the right wing on 27. Run the left wing on 09.)
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
When the pilot gives the universal 'Thumbs Up' Signal, (which indicates that the pilot
has completed all pre-flight, cockpit checks and is ready for launch) but before the
Wing Runner picks up the wing, the Wing Runner will judiciously check the circuit and
sky for all approaching traffic.

Know where all traffic (Gliders and Power) is located in and close to the circuit! Do a
360 Scan. Scan. Scan. Be aware!

Another consideration which must be accommodated to affect a safe launch is that
many of the sailplanes have water ballast in the wings! Check with the pilot.

Water
ballast
is
distributed
throughout
both
wings
and
controlled
by baffles…and before launch the water ballast in the wings must be equally balanced
and stabilized in the horizontal wing position.

This is accomplished by holding the wings in the horizontal position for
a sufficient time to allow the water ballast to equalize before the signal to Take-Up
the slack and Launch signal, is given.

If in doubt, defer to Pilot input. He knows his 'bird' best. But generally speaking if the
wings remain in the horizontal position for a few seconds, after hand support has
been withdrawn, the wings can be considered balanced...and the sailplane is ready
for launch!

Do not launch a ballasted sailplane before both wings have equalized their water
ballast! The delay might marginally hold up the launch progress…but safety first!

In relation to a launch and any incoming air traffic, the Base Leg and the
Final Approach Leg are critical time/distance factors, when considering the
best/safest moment to launch!

When any air traffic is navigating that part of the circuit their distance/time from
touchdown must be considered in relationship to a clear and safe launch.

There must be an adequate, safe, time-interval, between a launch and any
approaching traffic or vice versa.

If you perceive a hazard on the runway/take-off zone, even though you are in launch
mode, place the Wing on the Ground. This safety action alerts all in the launch team
that the Immediate Launch has been temporarily aborted.

Note: There are glider pilot blind spots, when in the glider cockpit and behind the
Tow Plane, waiting to be launched! Even the tow plane pilot has blind spots.

The Wing Runner, with the increased view above ground is often in a better visual
position to see any hazards or potential hazards than either the Glider Pilot or Tow
Pilot is aware of.
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
If in doubt always be on the side of safety: lower the wing to the ground and
raise both hands above your head and shout STOP. This action alerts everyone that
the launch has been aborted, because of a safety concern. When the safety concern
no longer exists, raise the wing, ready for launch. Everyone involved in the launch
will be alerted to the updated 'All Systems Go' for launch, the moment you raise the
wing.

If in doubt, wait until the approaching traffic (Glider or Tow Plane) has landed and
their roll out completed! Remember! Approaching traffic has right of way, which is
predicated by distance/time from anticipated touchdown and operational efficiency!
This is a judgement call based collectively on experience, aviation safety and
operational common sense.

If in doubt, always ask an experienced member for input. We are all one big, happy,
safety Team, always ready to offer Happy, Safety Input!

As a final note on Pre-Launch Safety, check that all pilot security straps have been
connected and synched down and the canopies have been safely closed and locked.

While the pilot is completing his Pre-Flight checks, the Wing Runner will retrieve the
Tow Rope with the 'hooked' baton’.

The Tow Rope will be inspected for any knots and where practical, the knots will be
removed. (It weakens the rope.)

Next inspect the Tow Rope Metal Ring connector and be sure it is safely and firmly
attached to the Tow Rope. Show the Connector Ring to the pilot before hooking up.

When the pilot is ready to be hooked up, Raise your 'Open Hand' and call
out "Open".

The pilot will pull the Yellow Knob, which will open the Hook-Up
Release Mechanism, and the pilot will simultaneously confirm, "Open".

Insert the Tow Rope Connector Ring into the Hook-Up/Tow Mechanism, and with your
hand/arm still in the raised position for the Pilot to see, simultaneously Close your
hand into a fist and call, "Close". (The pilot will release the Yellow Knob, which
controls the hook-up mechanism and the Tow-Rope connector will be locked in
place).

It is mandatory that all first launches adopt a safety check release, by having the
Wing Runner tug firmly on the tow rope while the Pilot checks the release by pulling
the Yellow Release Knob.

Once it is ascertained that the Tow Rope release mechanism releases on command,
Hook-Up again, ready for launch.

Note:
and
The Hook-Up mechanism is located in various positions on the fuselage,
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depending on the glider model and manufacturer! Some Hook-Up Mechanism are
either in the nose; under the belly, (some close to the pilots knees), and some are
either in front of or behind the Wheel Well. Again confer with the pilot for exact
position and save yourself a lot of grief!
The Final Phase Of The Safe Launch Procedure

At this point of the 'Safe Launch Procedure', the glider has now been HookedUp and the Wing Runner is standing at the Wing Tip, waiting for the Glider Pilot to
give the essential 'Thumbs Up signal' which indicates that the pilot is ready for
launch!
A/ The final safe launch process is made up of one signal, in two parts.
B/ The First signal to the Tow Pilot is…'Take-Up' the Tow-Rope Slack.
C/ The second signal is a progression of the first signal and is the 'Take-Off' Signal.

The 'Thumbs-Up' signal apprises the Wing Runner that the Pilot is now ready to
launch.

The Wing Runner now adopts a position at the Wing Tip which is closest to the
shortest distance to exit the runway. (Remember: Run the right wing on 27. Run the
left wing on 09.)

Pick up the wing tip and support the wing firmly enough that the wing will not jump
out of your hand the moment the Glider begins to move.

The moment the glider begins to move, (two steps or so) transition from a wing
holding position to a light support of the wing resting on the palm of your open hand.

The simple art of safely releasing the wing is to allow the wing to 'Float Off' the palm
of your open hand, as the glider gains control speed!

Note: Mostly a short run of perhaps 6-10 paces is required, (sometimes
less, depending on the headwind strength) for the Glider Pilot to gain sufficient
control speed, which in turn allows the wing to 'Float Off' the Wing Runner's hand.

Never grasp the wing or the wing tip, the leading edge or the trailing edge in
a firm, locked, immovable hold! To do so could cause the pilot to fight for flying
control at a critical point in the Take Off process, which can lead to over-control the
moment the Wing Runner releases his hold on the wing, and might create
a dangerous over-reaction by the glider pilot.
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
Never hold back or push the wing forward! To ignore this Safety Discipline can
also create a dangerous situation for the Pilot! To Hold Back or Push the wing forward
during launch might cause a Pilot induced Ground Loop, Glider Damage or Pilot
Injury, or put other MSC members or visitors at risk!

The simple answer: Let the wing 'Float Out' of your hand as you run with the wing, as
the glider gains speed.

Now that the Wing Runner is aware of the basic safety launch disciplines, it is time to
launch!

With the wing tip supported by the palm of your hand, make a final check glance at
the pilot to be sure everything is still 'All-Systems-Go' for launch.

Now, with both wings in a stable, horizontal position, the Wing Runner is ready to
signal the Tow Pilot to take-up the Tow Rope slack.

Adopt a frontal position, looking at the Tow Plane, and use your Free Hand
and Straight Arm to signal the Tow Pilot to begin taking up the slack.

Note: The Signal to Take-Up the tow rope slack is a simple 180 degree pendulum
motion of the arm, to and from, swinging in front of the Wing Runners body, up to
shoulder level, but not above! The tow pilot must be able to see your Signal! Make it
obvious!

The Tow Plane will now move slowly forward until the slack has been taken up.

Watch the slack disappear and be prepared to give the 'Take Off' Signal the moment
the Tow Rope is taught.

Once the Tow Rope is absolutely tight and under pressure, give the Take-Off Signal.

Note: The Take-Off Signal is a transition from a Straight Arm Pendulum Motion…to a
Full 360 circular motion. Continue this Full Circular signal while running the wing until
the glider has achieved control speed, and the wing lifts off your hand.

While running the wing, maintain the wings level and horizontal.

Continue running the wing with a few rapid strides, reflecting the increasing Glider
speed, while supporting the wing tip sitting in the palm of your hand.

Note: As the glider gains speed, the Glider Pilot will gain flying surface control of the
glider, and as the wing gains lift, the wing will float out of the Wing Runner hand.
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
As you observe the Glider gently lift-off and resume the correct position and height
behind the Tow Plane, you can reflect on the fact that you have, as an MSC Wing
Runner and part of the Critical Launch Team, safely launched another glider. A job
well done.
A final Safety Reminder!

As you Exit the runway, and for your own safety, be vigilant of
any approaching Gliders or other Air Traffic. (Gliders are especially quiet, flying
missiles! They could easily put more than a dent in your head).
After your Safe and Successful Launch return the 'Hooked, Wooden-Baton, Rope
Retriever' (Currently they come in a sold colour or a barber pole pattern) either to the
Flight Line Trailer or hang it on the closest red cone, ready for the next launch.
Congratulations! You are now A Qualified, and SAFE MSC WING-RUNNER
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