On Saturday, June 29, 2013 8:22:46 AM UTC-6, Nigel Pocock wrote:
Excessive initial ecceleration can cause problems with certain types. I

have experienced it with 2 types.

PW5 with stick fully forward at the start of the launch. Hard acceleration

caused the glider to rotate from the nose wheel to the tail wheel and

rocket into the air. I only managed to regain control at about 50ft.

The other one is the K8. Light glider, high wing. Similar problem.



If slow acceleration is a safety problem what about the ground run and take

off with aerotow using belly hooks, and autotows?

K8's and PW-5's, as with all "nose dragger's, are supposed to rotate back onto their tail wheels. What do you mean exactly by "regained control"? You're still with us so, presumably, it worked. With those gliders you should have started the ground roll with the stick full forward.

Aero tow with a CG hook isn't safe as discussed elsewhere on this forum. However a tug can't generate the forces a winch can so a wing drop induced ground loop likely won't be as severe.