Winch Update

[John DeRosa]

Sky Soaring Members,

 

Please take the time to read this email in its entirety.

 

Below are some updates from your Sky Soaring Board on the topic of winch towing here at Sky Soaring.

 

This last week I spoke with the owner of Costello Insurance Associates, who handles the SSA group insurance policy for nearly all glider organizations in the US including for Sky Soaring.  Lately Pat Costello (owner) has sent two messages to the Board on his concerns about our insurability.  When I spoke with Pat we talked about the status of our safety committee’s report on initiatives, past, present, and future, to enhance our insurability.  During this conversation the topic of winching came up and Pat gave me his perspective on how winching is doing across the nation.

 

Pat mentioned that about five years ago he worked to convince the insurance underwriters to cover winch towing liability as part of the SSA group policy at a premium rate which is considered to be in the “low risk” category by the underwriters.  Pat told me that, while there have been some winching related claims the winch premium, thus far winch use continues to be considered “low risk” by the underwriters.  For reference the winch adds $413 to our total liability insurance costs of $1,561 (26%).

 

The Sky Soaring Board has weighed the comments of our membership who have voiced their pros, cons, and concerns of winch usage at Sky Soaring.  The Board has also taken into consideration Pat Costello’s views as the risk associated with winch towing.  The bottom line is that the Board feels that winch operations for the 2021 season can continue and can be safely operated.

 

The Board’s safety initiatives are ABSOLUTELY CRITICAL to our continued safe operations and insurability – and without insurance we simply cannot continue to operate.  Having the safest possible operations is the primary driver towards this insurability goal and the policies and procedures that govern our operation must be followed by every member.  So on all fronts, for both winch and aero towing, there will be an increased safety drive by the Flight Committee and with the Board in general.

 

Over the course of the next 60 days – leading up to our mandatory membership Spring Safety Meeting on March 20th – the board will do several things: work to increase every member’s awareness of the policies and procedures that we all must follow – survey the membership about our operations – and help everyone commit to the enhanced safety culture of our club.

 

Thank you,

John DeRosa

President

Sky Soaring Glider Club

[John DeRosa]

Please excuse a few typos in the previous email.  Corrected below.

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Winch Update January 24, 2021

 

Sky Soaring Members,

 

Please take the time to read this email in its entirety.

 

Below are some updates from your Sky Soaring Board on the topic of winch towing here at Sky Soaring.

 

This last week I spoke with the owner of Costello Insurance Associates, who handles the SSA group insurance policy for nearly all glider organizations in the US including for Sky Soaring.  Lately Pat Costello (owner) has sent two messages to the Board on his concerns about our insurability.  When I spoke with Pat we talked about the status of our safety committee’s report on initiatives, past, present, and future, to enhance our insurability.  During this conversation the topic of winching came up and Pat gave me his perspective on how winching is doing across the nation.

 

Pat mentioned that about five years ago he worked to convince the insurance underwriters to cover winch towing liability as part of the SSA group policy at a premium rate which is considered to be in the “low risk” category by the underwriters.  Pat told me that, while there have been some winching related claims, thus far winch use and premiums continues to be considered “low risk” by the underwriters.  For reference the winch adds $413 to our total liability insurance costs of $1,561 (26%).

 

The Sky Soaring Board has weighed the comments of our membership who have voiced their pros, cons, and concerns of winch usage at Sky Soaring.  The Board has also taken into consideration Pat Costello’s views of the risk associated with winch towing.  The bottom line is that the Board feels that winch operations for the 2021 season can continue and can be safely operated.

 

The Board’s safety initiatives are ABSOLUTELY CRITICAL to our continued safe operations and insurability – and without insurance we simply cannot continue to operate.  Having the safest possible operations is the primary driver towards this insurability goal and the policies and procedures that govern our operation must be followed by every member.  So, on all fronts, for both winch and aero towing, there will be an increased safety drive by the Flight Committee and with the Board in general.

 

Over the course of the next 60 days – leading up to our mandatory membership Spring Safety Meeting on March 20th – the board will do several things: work to increase every member’s awareness of the policies and procedures that we all must follow – survey the membership about our operations – and help everyone commit to the enhanced safety culture of our club.

 

Thank you,

John DeRosa

President

Sky Soaring Glider Club

 

[Dennis Burke]

Some short questions. Regarding safety and insurability,  did Mr. Costello have any opinion on the quasi-commercial aspect of SSI hostings of Day Memberships, regardless of tow-methods?With 2021 enhanced safety procedure concentration, will day members be able to absorb and follow any of the procedures quickly enough? (movement on field, around & inside hanger & equipment).Please do not interpret this as any critique, it’s just thoughts.

[John DeRosa]

Denny,

These are good questions.  While I have not asked Pat Costello myself about our use of “Day Membership” rides, I do know that a previous board has asked these same questions. Nearly every glider club in the nation offers these types of rides as a money making activity.  Because this activity is commercial-like in function Sky Soaring instituted maybe 8 or more years ago  that only commercial rated glider pilots may take up day members.  We also have each day member sign a carefully written liability release.  As to non-SSI members remaining safe we must always ask them to not wander around, to stay on the deck, move away from gliders actively being launched, be aware of their surroundings, etc, and this needs to continue – and even more so for winching as there are fewer places for anyone, members and non-members alike, to stand safely during a launch and these safe areas need to be delineated.

Thanks again.

John H DeRosa

President, Sky Soaring glider Club

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[Steven Snyder]

To expand on John’s comments about Day Members, Costello strongly recommended that all clubs avoid the term “Day Member” as it insinuated that the individual has joined the club even if only for the day. The preferred term is “Sightseeing Rides” and yes, the PIC must be commercial rated to fulfil FAA requirements.

 

Steve

 

 

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