I've just read the latest BGA pamphlet on safer aerotowing.
They do recommend holding the release knob in case of lateral
upsets due to wing drops during the ground run, and vertical
upsets once in the air.

BTW, I did £5.5k of damage to my glider a few years ago after
dropping a wing and ground-looping it during an aerotow
retrieve. The fact that the glider ended up being dragged
sideways by the tug with the rope still attached probably didn't
help. An immediate release might done, but my glider is one of
those with the release knob behind the stick and I couldn't
immediately get to it with the stick hard over. I fitted an
extended cable to the release knob after that.

Derek C

At 16:36 04 October 2013, wrote:
I have seen several videos on youtube lately where the glider
pilot holds
t=
he tow release handle during all parts tow. I've been told it is
taught
th=
is way by some in the UK. Sorry to pick on you folks on the
other side of
=
the pond as I love your country and can't wait to come over
and glide with
=
you in the next few years. =20

It seems to me that holding the handle during aero tow is a
recipe for
disa=
ster eventually.

We have all hit big bumps and turbulence down low on tow.
Why risk
accident=
ally pulling the release at 50ft or 100ft in the air? If you are
saying
it=
is so that you can immediately pull the handle if something
goes bad on
to=
w, it might not be a good enough reason due to the risks of a
accidental
re=
lease. Keep your hand on your knee or the flaps handle right
next to the
r=
elease and I bet you can pull it just as quickly and you don't
have to
worr=
y about messing up a perfectly good tow down low. Am I
missing something
he=
re?

Your thoughts? This just seems like a big safety mistake and I
would hate
f=
or people who see these videos and then think it is the right
and correct
t=
hing to do.

Have fun and fly safe,
Bruno - B4
www.youtube.com/bviv