The DSGC relies upon its members to perform all the background tasks necessary so that we can all have maximum time gliding. Most club members have a more enjoyable and fulfilled day at the club when they have not only flown themselves, but have helped others to do so. Essential tasks to keep on flying include:

• Helping out at the launch point
• Winching and cable retrieving

Logging and communication with winch and gliders from the launch point vehicle. In order that we all do these tasks in a safe and approved way the club provides “Ground Operations Training” for the many procedures that are required during a day’s flying. Depending on complexity, there are two types:

BASIC TASKS comprise:

1. Safety Briefing and Launch Point Activities
2. Ground Handling and Parking of Gliders
3. Driving Club Vehicles (excluding Tractors)
4. Towing Gliders
5. Cable Retrieving
6. Setting up Launch Point Vehicle (LPV) for the day

ADVANCED TASKS comprise:

1. Operation of Launch Point Vehicle (Logging and Communication)
2. Glider Hangar Packing and Unpacking
3. Ground Equipment Daily Inspection and Refuelling
4. Driving Tractors
5. Winch Operation (Setup. Driving, Rope Splicing)
6. Duty Launch Marshal

Training and Authorisation

So that you can carry out any of the above tasks unsupervised you must first be trained and then authorised. The method is different for the two types of task.

Once you are trained and authorised in any Basic Task you can then train and authorise the competence of someone else in that same task. The onus is thus on the trainer to ensure that the trainee has acquired sufficient experience and competence in the task to then train and authorise someone else.

To become authorised in an Advanced Task you must be trained and then approved by one of the Trainer/Authorisers for that task. There is nothing to stop you (for example) sitting with the winch driver to learn how the winch operation works – but you must be trained and subsequently authorised by one of the winch Trainer/Authorisers.

Trainer/Authorisers

A list of the Trainer/Authorisers for each Advanced Task will be on the club notice board, on the website below, and at the back of the Ground Operations Manual. A list of the Launch Point trainers and authorisers will be in the LPV – and for the winch, a copy will be in the winch.

Training Progress

Your training in Ground Operations is recorded on one of the blue “Ground Operations Training” cards. If you have not already been given a card – new ones are located in the Clubhouse Briefing Room. When you have been authorised to perform a new task, put the card in the plastic “In” box in the Briefing Room. The club records will then be updated, and the card returned to you via the “Out” box. The club record of your training achievement is shown on the spreadsheet on the club below.

Information.

The best way to get an insight into a new task is by doing it……Ask if you can ride “shotgun” in the cable retrieve Disco; ask if you can sit with the winch driver for some launches; stand in the “bubble” for a bit – see what is going on with the logging – and listen to what happens on the phone and the radios. Once you have a “flavour” for a new task, read the relevant user guide below.

The guides are also available in paper form, the Winch Drivers Handbook is in the winch – the other two are in the clubhouse. You will need to have read the manuals prior to being authorised in the task.

If you have any questions – ask! Someone not far away from you will know the answer! Willing helpers are always welcome, and your participation in any or all of the various ground operations means the club does more flying.