Yes the pull can be enough to affect stability, that
was what the test I descibed demonstrated.

Chris Rollings

At 18:36 07 January 2004, Greg Arnold wrote:
Marc Ramsey wrote:



If these figures aren't available, is the use of CG
hooks being
discouraged based simply on the assumed lack of positive
longitudinal
stability during aerotow?


Is the pull on a CG hook during aerotow ever great
enough to have much
effect on the longitudinal stability of the glider?
I have never
noticed such an effect, so I wonder if pilots who fly
from a winch (very
quick acceleration and doubtless a significant effect
on longitudinal
stability) are unfairly extrapolating their experience
there to the
aerotow situation.

Doubtless a nose hook is better for aerotow, but I
wonder if the alleged
advantages aren't being oversold by some posters to
this thread.