On Wed, 24 Jun 2009 08:29:22 -0700 (PDT), bildan
wrote:

It's realistic in the sense that the most likely way a wing would go
down is if the pilot does, in fact, "stuff it down". Unfortunately,
you just have to watch a few takeoffs to see it happen. One of my
frustrations is pilots who seem to have no idea where their ailerons
are until a wingtip hits the ground.

If the pilot consciously centers the ailerons as part of the pre-
takeoff checks and lets the wing runner balance the glider, the glider
will just stay balanced on its own for several seconds after the wing
runner lets go - long enough to get aileron control on either aero
tow or winch. That's good practice with any launch method.


Hi Bill,

I'm not sure if your observation is correct.

During aerotows you often see the wing runner working hard to keep the
wing perfectly balanced, the pilot keeps ailerons centered, wing
runner lets go - and the wing tip hits the ground immediately before
the pilot has time to apply aileron. A typical crosswind situation.

The problem is that the pilot cannot sense the wing-drop tendency (and
apply opposite aileron) as long as the wing runner keeps the wing
level.
The better technique is if the wing runner follows the wing-drop
tendency, not trying to keep the wings level - the pilot is going to
feel one wing going down (although still held by the wing runner,
hence no danger of the wing tip touching the ground) and will apply
aileron immediately. This usually works like a charm.


And then there were those open class ships in crosswind situations
where you have to apply full aileron to the lee side from the
beginning of the aerotow (even if this wing drops)... because despite
full aileron this side it's going to come up again.....