At 14:34 10 May 2012, Dan Marotta wrote:
This is prompted by someone's description of a flight involving high sink

from tow release to landing. The pilot stated that he released from tow
in

800 fpm sink at 3,000' AGL.

It's so common when I'm towing to have the glider pilot tell me, "I'll
take

a tow to 3,000 feet." Then, during the tow, I hit super lift and the
pilot

will hang on to the rope. He'll hang on until I'm struggling through sink

and hit the magic 3,000' and release!

I shouldn't complain since the higher tow means more income for the
operation, but I'd think pilot judgment would include releasing in lift -

even if it's below some preconceived release altitude.

Now, the instructors will say, "We need the altitude to accomplish the
objectives of the flight." I ask, "Wouldn't it better to demonstrate
judgment by releasing in strong lift and climbing to altitude to practice

maueuvers?"

Rant over...



ahh the barametric release system, works well for the accounts department
when all the release hights are the same.In reallity if its a trial
flight you give them what they have paid for if you are paying you you
release as soon as your confidence exceeds your lack of same.