On Nov 10, 12:31*am, Bob wrote:
I wonder how this would go in a Nimbus 4D? Any opinions? ;

In a 2C it would be terrifying. A 4D has to be worse.

I also note the Pawnee was making a low, power-on approach which had
it below the power-off glide path to the runway - something most light
airplane pilots are taught not to do.

Lets talk about an alternative procedure with a typical glider like a
G103. The 103 POH specifies max weak link as 1662 Lbs and the max
weight as 1278. 1662/1278 = a 1.3 G momentary jerk that would be
required to break the link. Open the spoilers with slack in the tow
rope and 1.3G is easy to achieve.

Of course, the glider might be flown lighter if solo which could have
a flying weight as low as 992 Pounds. 1662/992 = 1.7G - still easy to
achieve with a little slack and spoiler. 103's are just as likely to
be flown over gross weight in many clubs. Also many operations sue an
old, worn piece of rope as a weak link that is likely to be weaker
than 1662 Lbs.

I'm convinced just breaking the weak link is the safer procedure in
the extremely unlikely case of a double release failure. It can't be
hard - students do it all the time.