There are a few YouTube Videos of Aerotowing (and Scooter Winch Launching) attesting the safe control of the Monarch glider.
See Matt Kollman's videos:
Aerotowing...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbgIU...4QnZId90F2ki-g
Aerotowing (several flights by first time flyers of mixed experience)...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lx3Fe...4QnZId90F2ki-g
Scooter/Winch Towing (Pilot's View)...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oddtS...4QnZId90F2ki-g
Scooter/Winch Towing (Ground View)...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijCnL...4QnZId90F2ki-g
As a Monarch pilot, please let me advise y'all. The Monarch is an absolute pleasure to fly. It does have a couple anomalies worth mentioning:
1. It is fully controllable (pitch, yaw & roll)down to below stall speed.
2. It seems to enter a "mush-mode" at low speed where descent rate is accelerated due to the combined effect of stall AOA AND a spoiler effect of up elevator. DON'T TOW TOO SLOW. If you do, you WILL DESCEND and pitching up only spoils lift and increases the descent rate.
3. Due to the crossover effect of #2 above, there seemed to be a very low speed at the beginning of the tow at which pitch authority goes from unreliable/uncontrollable to very positively positive...about 10-15mph. In training others to fly the Monarch, I suggested that they hold the stick/pitch at a few degrees of trailing edge up until pitch authority becomes strongly positive; then a low speed, nose up takeoff may proceed.
4. There was a strong adverse yaw effect during rolls. I was flying a first generation Monarch (serial #2). Just LEAD WITH RUDDER before rolling and use the rudder for the roll-ins and rolling out.
5. My Monarch was old and FRAGILE. But, it was a pleasure to fly between 25 and 65 MPH. Matt Kollman is in the process of rejuvinating my Monarch. I can't wait to fly it again this Spring. If anyone wants to fly a Monarch, call Matt or me and get thee to Ohio and we can arrange it. You will be hooked.
6. Due to the "mush-mode", I suggested to other pilots to fly the pattern at 40mph and to land before the mush-mode overpowers the pitch-lift authority...at 30-25mph.
There is NO pitch issue during aerotow. Pitch authority was always strongly positive. The Monarch IS a low speed, low energy, high performance glider. Towing fast should be attempted only with caution and due care.
I would be flying a completely rejuvinated and airworthy Monarch right now. But, Matt Kollman is busy at the Marske factory (his shop & basement) building new ultralight Monarchs and Pioneer 3 gliders. Oh well, it isn't soaring weather in Ohio at the moment.
Have a great year. ...and contact Matt Kollman if you want a fun, safe and affordable glider.

Jim Goebel (goebeljw_at_aol.com)

On Friday, July 22, 2011 6:10:28 PM UTC-4, JJ Sinclair wrote:
I don't know what happened to your friend (my condolences), but your
comment may be unfair. *The Marske flying wings respond very rapidly
to pitch inputs but they don't oscillate.

Bill D

I don't have a problem with the Monarch, I think its a cute little
ship. I do have a problem with a brochure that stated "Auto & Air-
towable" without specifying an max tow speed. I believe the tow behind
the Cub was much too fast for that light little ship. It was swinging
wildly from side to side, like a kite hooked to a car. If memory
serves me right, It hit inverted on the last wild swing. I do have a
problem with a bridle tow system attached to two tow hooks that didn't
release when repeatedly tried.
The last I heard from my friend, he didn't remember the first 40 years
of his life and if he left home alone, he couldn't find his way back.
JJ