WIND Release point Idle power 20% takeoff power Begin reducing winch power 70° 60° 30° Figure 7-18.  Winch procedures. Figure 7-19.  Wind correction angle for winch procedures. After lift-off, the glider pilot should establish a wind  correction angle toward the upwind side of the runway to  prevent drifting downwind. This prevents downwind drift  and allows the glider to work upwind of the runway during  the climb-out. When the towline is released at the top of the  climb, it tends to drift back toward the centerline of the launch  runway, as shown in  Figure 7-20 . This helps keep the towline  from fouling nearby wires, poles, fences, aircraft, and other  obstacles on the side of the launching runway. Should the  glider drift to the downwind side of the runway, the towline  could damage other aircraft, runway lights, nearby fences,  structures, obstacles, etc. Normal takeoffs are made into the wind. Prior to launch, the  glider pilot, ground crew, and launch equipment operator  must be familiar with the launch signals and procedures.  When the required checklists for the glider and ground  launch equipment have been completed and the glider  pilot, ground crew, and launch equipment operator are  ready for takeoff, the glider pilot should signal the ground  crewmember to hook the towline to the glider. The hookup  must be done deliberately and correctly. The release  mechanism should be checked for proper operation. To  accomplish this, the ground crewmember should apply  tension to the towline and signal the glider pilot to activate  the release. The ground crewmember should verify that  the release has worked properly and signal the glider  pilot. When the towline is hooked up to the glider again,  the ground crewmember takes a position at the wingtip of  the down wing. When the glider pilot signals “ready for  takeoff,” the ground crewmember clears both takeoff and  landing areas. When the ground crewmember has ensured  the traffic pattern is clear, the ground crewmember then  The length, elasticity, and mass of the towline used for ground  launching have several effects on the glider being launched.  First, it is difficult or impossible to prevent the glider from  CAUTION: Never connect a glider to a towplane or towline  unless the pilot is aboard and ready for flight. If the pilot exits  the glider for any reason, the towline should be released and  disconnected. Glider pilots should be prepared for a takeoff  anytime the towline is attached to the glider. signals the launch equipment operator to “take up slack”  in the towline. Once the slack is removed from the towline,  the ground crewmember again verifies that the glider pilot  is ready for takeoff. Then, the ground crewmember raises  the wings to a level position, does a final traffic pattern  check, and signals to the launch equipment operator to  begin the takeoff. Normal Into-the-Wind Launch 7-15