I once watched a pilot turn an ASW 20 through 360 degrees after a 75
foot rope break. With each successive 90 degree turn, I heaved a sigh
of relief, until he rolled into the next one. The pilot made three 90
degree left hand turns, at one point dropping slightly below the level
of the runway, until he was lined up to land across the runway. He
made his last 90 degree right turn in ground effect, using rudder
only. I didn't see much of the touchdown or rollout, as I was running
for life and limb. The glider was undamaged. The pilot, on the other
hand...

To my knowledge, he never flew another glider.



"Bill Daniels" wrote in message ...
"CV" wrote in message
...
Fredrik Thörnell wrote:
What does the commentator say about 18 meter (high?) something? Or is

He is saying that the cable broke at 80 meters height. (200 odd feet)
CV

Perhaps someone familiar with the incident could explain why the pilot tried
to turn back from a height of 80 meters. I would expect that, with a wire
break at 80 meters, the pilot would have 75% or more of the airfield
straight ahead for a safe landing. In fact, a 180 degree turn from an 80
meter wire break would leave no place to land at most winch sites.

Bill Daniels