On Nov 10, 9:36*am, ContestID67 wrote:
I have to take umbrage at practicing something that is such an
incredibly rare event.

I have never even heard of a single tow rope release failure (but I am
sure that they have happened) let alone a double release failure.
Practicing slack rope and rope break (basically a single failure)
recoveries is important. *But we simulate these at a decent altitude
which allows time and height to recover in case of something going
badly. *Practicing what this video shows invites trying to recover at
the worse possible time - just a few feet above the ground. *Would you
practice a much-more-likely-to-occur spin ... but at 100 feet?

Anyone know of a real life double release failure?

My $1.99.

- John DeRosa

I have NOT had a double release failure but I have had a single, at
the glider end, in a SGS 2-33. We were never able to duplicate or
determine the cause. Hasn't happened again. The glider had a
Schweizer release as did the tow-plane.

Our club has done significant testing on release forces for both TOST
and Schweizer hook systems (we have tow-planes with both) at various
angles and loads. I'll see if we have details and reports that can be
shared here. I'm sure it will be interesting to all.

But back to topic; I agree that it seems incredibly rare, the question
is: Does practicing something potentially dangerous present a greater
danger than the actual event? This is the premise behind the
avoidance of spin training in the US as well as the virtual ban on
practicing single engine failures (of twin-engined aircraft) on
liftoff.

A discussion of the options and developing a good understanding of the
elements of the process may be the safest approach. As a pilot of
many hours I have experienced several "eventualities" including failed
engines in various stages of flight and extreme icing. We don't
really train to specific circumstances but rather to the understanding
of principles surrounding a situation. With an understanding of those
principles and some basic intelligence most pilots can chose a
reasonable course of action.

I know that most accidents fly in the face of the previous statement,
however the crux of the statement is "an understanding of those
principles". I'm a full-time flight instructor and teach
international students as well as US pilots in SEL, MEL and gliders.
I've been doing it for 15 years and have worked with close to a
thousand individuals. I have seen that in most cases individual try
to learn "just enough". It is a very rare individual that digs into
the library of materials I offer or even researchs the web pages that
are available. In defense of gliders pilots: they seem to be more
interested, as a group, in gaining knowledge for knowledges sake and
thus are better at understanding the principles.

Rather that rattle on longer. Summary: teach the principles, practice
in safe scenarios, review frequently.