Sail Plane
Flight Crew Private; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Glider
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 5.8; Flight Crew Total 524; Flight Crew Type 15
Situational Awareness; Training / Qualification; Other / Unknown
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem; Flight Crew Landed As Precaution
Aircraft; Human Factors; Procedure
I took off in a (glider) Schweizer 2-33A being towed by a Cessna 150. After realizing I did not have full forward elevator movement; I climbed in tow to 1;000 FT AGL; released from tow; and returned to the airport. I had a normal landing. The reason for not having full forward stick movement was that the rear seatbelt had been secured around the yoke. I failed to observe this in the preflight check; and did not confirm full forward elevator movement before flight. [I should] be sure to perform a through preflight walk around and before takeoff check with checklists. Be sure of full control movement (free and correct).
Schweizer 2-33 pilot noted limited forward stick movement during in-tow takeoff; released from tow; and returned to land. Pilot found rear seatbelt secured around control stick.