On Dec 27, 9:11*am, bildan wrote:
On Dec 27, 9:32*am, Dan wrote:





On Dec 27, 8:20*am, "kirk.stant" wrote:

I had a similar event about a month ago, towing a newly soloed young
pilot in a 2-33. *He had requested a pattern tow, so approaching 1000'
agl I was expecting a release - instead felt the tail of my Pawnee
yanked up about 15 degrees, followed by the obvious release by the
glider (while I was reaching for my release!).

After we landed I mentioned to the young pilot that his release had
been a "bit unusual". *His answer was that he had been taught to do
soft releases by his primary instructor and that he had got a bit too
high before pushing over!

I explained to him that he was not to do "soft releases" behind my
towplane anymore, and we discussed the whole concept of safely
releasing from tow (turns out not all of our instructors teach
incorrect releases, fortunately), and then I went off to find a
certain instructor to have a discussion with.

And it's not just the new pilots who are clueless (either because they
have been taught wrong, or haven't taken the time to think carefully
about the dynamics of aero tow). *Many of the experienced pilots
flying their own glass will pull up just prior to release, or soft
release (with a Tost!). *Or aggressively turn away, as if they were
about to hit the towplane.

Just a little thought will show that 1. the towplane WILL accelerate
away after release (unless his engine just failed - which is a
different story on teaching aerotow emergencies), and 2. unless you
are being towed by an F-16, you are not going to get a lot of altitude
converting those extra 15 knots - better a careful look around than a
hard pull!

Doesn't say much for the level of airmanship being displayed....

Kirk
66

a little trick I was taught years ago is to pull the release twice.
You can really see and feel the difference to be sure you are released
before you pull and turn.

I have used this every release since.

Dan
WO

Yes, you can feel the difference, but you also need to visually
confirm the rope has released before turning. *It's very rare, but the
rope may have become entangled with the wheel or skid. *In this case,
the release will work - but the rope is still attached to the glider.

There is a variation on hard right turn follies often seen in
transitioning airplane pilots. *In their mind, release from tow is the
equivalent of an engine failure so they shove the nose down as they
release. *This will bring the glider's nose uncomfortably close to the
just-released rope.

I brief a pilot to gently reduce airspeed and re-trim while turning
right turn after (a visually confirmed) release.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

yes, that is what I meant when I said "see and feel" the difference.
You see the rope is released and you feel the difference in the
release knob.
Dan
WO