By Adam Dixon <dna@smartchat.net.au>

Well, we have all had the urge to do it with someone else, as doing it on our own is not as much fun, but at times safer. But doing it with others comes at a price, even if it is only a short relationship where you may never see the person again (or, persons, if we are very lucky).

I consider myself pretty competent at getting other people off, and over the years have seen many people make a mess of it. I have seen people let go prematurely, yet others hang on just too long, and still others have not a clue. We all know the basics, but may be too embarrassed to ask friends or colleagues or even family for help with the finer points. So I will give a simple run down from both sides of the fence on how to make this great past time a more pleasurable and safer one.

YOU, THE PILOT
Upon presenting yourself on the hill you decide today is a pumper and you are going to break all Rohan Holtkamp's records in one swoop. So you set up your glider and start to think it is too strong to self-launch and you begin to cast your eyes about for a helper. If you have a friend you trust, great, if not, have a chat to a few spectators and try to size up a reasonably intelligent one or two and ask them for their assistance. Bear in mind that if they were truly bright they would have a license and glider and be setting up next to you. So work with what you've got.
For ease I will assume the people you have chosen have never done it before. If the people are regulars, and will do it for any old pilot, you can modify your instructions accordingly.
If you have only one assistant, get them to take hold of a side wire and a nose wire. Explain to them that if they do not let go of the nose wire the glider will not leave the earth and carry them away. If you have two helpers get one on each side of you with a nose wire and side wire each. Before I turn the glider around I make sure they understand that on no condition should they let go of the wires unless I yell 'clear', and if I yell 'clear' they are to let go regardless and move away. Simple instructions, but be sure they understand them; I once had a pilot let go of me for no apparent reason with near disastrous results.
To turn the glider around you may need a person to lift the keel slightly. If you turn to your left have one of the helpers on your left wing. If turning to the right have a helper on the right wing. Once the glider has been turned around and is clear, put it down. Then perform a hang check. Let your assistants know what you are doing and why. Being seen to be safe will instill some confidence in a possibly nervous assistant. Once the hang check is completed explain to them that you are going to walk the glider up to the face of the launch and attempt to get the wings level. In order to do this you will require them to do two things for you. One is to give you some input as to what their wing is doing and this is done by calling, 'I have pressure' or 'I have no pressure'. As simple as that; no other comments about the glider are really needed. (Unless they want to tell you how sexy you look in it, and this only happens every third or fourth time I launch.) The other thing they have to do is to move to the left or the right, back or forward, so as to ensure that the wings are leveled. Once the glider is level and you are happy to launch, yell 'clear' loudly and clearly and launch, calling thank you as you leave safely on your way to a new record flight. If you are not happy on launch, put the glider down and give everyone a break, have a chat, ask and answer questions. Finally, if not happy with things, pull the pin, fly another day. Don't feel obligated to launch to impress others. Yes, it is that simple. Don't get stressed and yell at your assistants. Take your time and speak clearly and coherently so as to make yourself understood, and you will find your wingmen a lot calmer as well.

YOU, THE ASSISTANT
Nothing changes from the above, but if you see a new face ask a few questions and ascertain the level of site knowledge and flying skills of the pilot you are assisting. For example, my name is Adam the amazing, you are? Have you flown here before? Do you want a hand off? Could you please yell clear when you want to go? And if you don't yell clear I won't let go at all.
Don't assume that the pilot is a gun; you won't look foolish if they are, and you will instill confidence if they are not. Ask if they want to do a hang check after turning their glider around. Easy questions, and for the sake of sharing a little information you may learn something if at a new site, and at the same time make the sport a much safer one for all of us.
I have learnt this the hard way; that is, by blowing my launch a couple of times and paying the price. Luckily only in the form of a banged up glider. I hope you can learn by my mistakes. So get out there and get it off.