On Tuesday, February 11, 2014 12:41:48 PM UTC-6, son_of_flubber wrote:

How about a weather proof calibrated mechanical device placed between the Tost release hook and the tug that pulls the Tost release lever when the vertical component exceeds a limit? There is a well-proven mechanism that does something like that on my downhill ski bindings. A rocket-scientist is not required.

Well, if you think it is that big a problem and it can't be addressed through better (more threatening) training, then how about an optical device on the towplane that tracks the glider and 1. warns the tow pilot and glider pilot when the glider is moving out of the safe tow envelope, and 2. fires a guillotine on the tow rope when the glider reaches the limit. Add a flashing light on the tow plane to warn the glider pilot that he is about to be dumped.

Or, just teach the glider pilot to NEVER lose sight of the towplane, and to immediately release if he does.

Is it a matter of the FAA and insurance underwriters making any change to the status quo cost-prohibitive? What sort of gauntlet does one need to run?

Bwahahahaha!!!!

ROTFLMFAO!

Gasp, sigh, that just really made my day!

Cheers,

Kirk
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