Uncommanded Spoilers Open in Grob-103

[George Haeh]

Last year I spotted spoilers opening early in a winch launch. The student seemed to have failed to lock them before takeoff. 

Today we had a rope break at 500' and the licensed pilot and instructor took some time to recognize the situation while their options were diminishing faster than usual. 

I don't know if this is particular to our Grob-103, but other Grob-103 pilots may need to be alert to this. 

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  George Haeh

  403-370-9033

  gh...@fastmail.fm

[Bill Hill]

More importantly they need to be trained on how to react to a spoiler/dive brake deployment

so that it becomes an abnormal rather than an emergency situation.

Bill Hill

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[Garrett McEwen]

Use a spring scale and check the operating force for the spoilers.  There are limits that have been previously called out in spoiler ADs/service bulletins.  You need to check this at the lever and both wings if I recall correctly.

Locked brakes opening unexpectedly is definitely an unsafe condition.  If it happens as a result of something else notable like a cable break the pilot is unlikely to immediately recognize it.