File this one under airfield legend. Flapped gliders with horizontal
stabs (as opposed to full flying) can be manuevered without full
elevator authority, but you're as likely to die as not. As for the
CFI, I suspect his elevator was semi-attached (cup on ball, but not
locked). It is likely that the elevator came disconnected during the
rollout on landing, thus the difficulty with aerotow. (Of course, you
might be able to sell this one, if the cg was up around the rudder
pedals.)


Robert John wrote in message ...
A chief flying instructor of my acquaintance flew about
300k without realising his elevator was disconnected
(ASW20). The initial launch was a winch which was
fine (back-pressure pushing the elevator up). He landed
out at another airfield and took an aerotow retrieve.
He had to release quickly and land ahead using trim
when the glider climbed uncontrollably. The aerotow
needed forward pressure on the stick (downward 'pull'
on the elevator when on tow). At no time during the
previous flight, including on winch launch, was this
needed, though he did remark that the elevator has
felt a little 'odd' at times!

Rob

At 16:12 30 October 2003, Mark Grubb wrote:
..
'nowhere' wrote in message
om...
Yes, according to Peter Garrison's 'Aftermath' column
in the November 7issue of 'Flying' you don't need
to connect your elevator
control! I quote: 'the NTSB report does not comment
on the fact
that a disconnected elevator does not make an ASW-20,
or
for that matter any other airplane, unflyable.

This is correct. I personally know of Several -20's
and even a PIK-20
(no spoiers) that were flown and successfully landed
without elevator
control. I tested this mode in a -20C by 'locking'
the pitch at the
stick with tape (that would break should I need it
to). It was not
pretty, but I towed to 2K ft, released and landed with
flaps and
spoilers only. Not a huge deal.

Keep your wits about you, practice, and you needn't
die because of a
disabled/disconnected control!