What started me ranting are low time glider pilots (licensed) who tell me
they will release at a particular altitude, generally 3,000 feet, and then
do exactly that. I try to keep them in lift but they don't have the
experience to stay with me if I turn too tightly. The problem is that, I
may be going up like gang busters at 2,800 ft and they'll hang on and, at
3,000 ft, when I'm in sink and turning back towards the lift, they release
in the sink rather than wait another minute.

I was hoping to spark a discussion and it appears that I've done just that.


"T" wrote in message
...
On May 10, 7:34 am, "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...

Hopefully if you were in sink, you were attempting to turn back to the
lift when the glider released?
Many times the instructor will want straight tows with shallow turns
to accomplish training, slack line, box wake etc. and then the tow
pilot should be free to return to a known lift area.

You did not say if this was an instructional flight, solo student or
rated pilot.
I've had pilots tell me.. straight out.. into the wind. They get off
when they are ready. It is a currency flight for them, not interested
in soaring.

At the end of the day... it's still the customers dollars..

T