On Jan 1, 12:44*pm, Free Flight 107 wrote:
On Jan 1, 3:21*am, Doug Greenwell wrote: At 06:24 01 January 2011, Anne wrote:

I've certainly sparked some interest here - considering it's New Year
:-)- Hide quoted text -

And I mignt add this is a very fast moving discussion too! While I was
loging in 2 messages were posted..

Concerning the Tow Plane position while on tow, two of my CFIs have
said to position yourglider as if you were going to Machine Gun the
pilot of the Tow Plane. this is equivelent of aligning the horizontal
of the TP with a portion of his foweward fuslage, like the wheels on a
Pawnee.

Works great in all conditions I've come accross in 15 years flying 8
different types from 2-33 to Duo Discuss. Never been criticized for it
either in BFRs.

Wayne

Without a gunsight, how do you do that? ;^)

I don't understand why the high tow position is taught by reference to
the towplane or horizon, when what should be taught is how to find the
correct tow position (just above or below the wake, which is actually
the propwash). Simple - once safely airborne (usually before the
towplane), just ease down until you feel the towplanes turbulence,
then ease up a bit. THEN look at the towplane and pick whatever
convenient references you need to maintain this vertical alignment.
Any significant change in towplane speed will require a readjustment
of the tow position (normally only a factor if on an aerotow
retrieve).

Obviously, if you only tow behind the same towplane on every flight,
you will quickly learn where to position your glider. But if you have
a variety of towplanes, or are towing behind something different
(Agcat, Wilga, AN-2, whatever) for the first time, you can use this
process to find the correct position quickly.

Many US instructors seem to only teach HOW to do something without
going into WHY it is done. As a result, there are a lot of "shortcuts"
being taught, and a lot of poorly trained pilots, IMHO. A result of
not having a standardized curriculum, a la BGA, perhaps?

Kirk
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