On Fri, 3 Dec 2004 23:21:46 UTC, "Bill Daniels"
wrote:

: A very FEW older gliders exhibit a behavior where the nose will pitch up
: uncontrollably if the winch acceleration is too strong. These gliders
: usually have high CG's, low CG hooks and small tail surfaces and/or all
: moving tails that limit down elevator authority. Good winch drivers know
: about them and reduce acceleration accordingly.

Given an over enthusiastic launch, the Pirat will happily take off,
fly level and then rotate into a full climb, and there is absolutely
nothing the pilot can do about it. Except attend to the education of
the winch driver...

One of my pets hates is the belief that it's a good thing to hold down
the tail of some gliders for a winch launch. It isn't. All that
happens is that as soon as the tail holder lets go, the nose slams
down, then the tail slams down even more violently on the rebound.

Ian

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