This discussion--over whether it's more dangerous to practice
something inherently risky or to learn by doing it the first
time--reminds me of checking out as an instructor with a Northeastern
U.S. glider club when I was in graduate school there back in the
1970s. The check pilot had me box the wake in the Blanik and then
asked me to put some slack in the tow rope and take it out gently. I
pulled up a little and then dove slightly to loosen the rope, then
waited for the towplane to climb up while I yawed the glider.

"Now let's put a *lot* of slack in the rope. I'll do the first one."

I watched, fascinated, as the check pilot took us up well over the
towplane, then moved out to the side and dove down until the towrope
disappeared *behind* the glider. We were still aft of the towplane but
I could look out to the side and see the towrope extending past us as
far as I could see.

The proper recovery technique was to stay above and to the side of the
towplane so that as the slack began to come out and you saw the loop
going by you from back to front, you could dive and turn in to match
speeds. The check pilot did this and it actually worked!

I made a couple of tries, the second of which wasn't as bad as the
first. I was *really* happy, though, when it was over. Turns out this
was a standard practical test item required by the local Designated
Examiner (and also high-time glider pilot).

I wouldn't want to be held to it because I can't remember the details,
but I recall hearing years later about a bad accident in that same
area caused by the towrope getting fouled in the elevator or aileron
during such a maneuver.

Some RAS readers must be familiar with this. Is this maneuver still
done? Were there ever any accidents arising from it?

And what's today's thinking about the wisdom of this kind of training?

Chip Bearden
ASW 24 "JB"