"CindyB" wrote in message
ups.com...
contributors to this thread. Despite all the pretty equations, they
ended up by saying
they didn't have enough consistent data, and that changes in weight
and wind made a
pot load of difference. Duh.

Any time it feels hinky .... fly dry, or find a longer, lower runway.
Racing be stuffed. I'd rather have my friends around for another
season.

Cindy B

Thanks for this link Cindy.....it does appear to be the only study available
to try to answer this question. Your conclusions are, as we say in the
scientific field, not supported by the data however. I didn't see this on a
google search prior to posting this question but maybe you're a more
experienced "googler" than I.

First of all re the weight....this is a quote from the study:
"The lines in Figure 11 seem to imply that the takeoff ground roll data were
not a function of weight, which is an absurd conclusion. This conclusion
further points to the danger of quick conclusions from data with lots of
scatter." So this would mean that the data are suspect to begin
with.....large amount of scatter and not enough points to be able to make
firm conclusions.

Re the wind this is another quote from the study:
"These lines should not be given a lot of weight, given the poor correlation
shown in Table 2." Again not a reliable set of data.

Having said this I may just have to agree with the post that said that there
are too many variables to be able to make firm conclusions other than to
rely upon experience. Too bad but thanks again for the article!

So how about some of those high density altitude pilots out there....any
"scary" tows? Do folks that routinely fly out of high DA fields always tow
dry? What kind of towplanes are being used?

Casey