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Old February 22nd 14, 04:42 PM posted to rec.aviation.soaring
Dan Marotta
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Posts: 4,601
Default Does anyone use a tug tow hook that releases automatically when glider kites?

Yes, but that was a fixed hitch. I would think that, as the glider shot
upwards, the hinged release would swivel upward before the tug's nose
started down. Is it because the arm aft of the hinge point would be so
short?

I always preferred mechanical stuff to electrical, but the education was
free so I had to take what was offered.


"Steve Leonard" wrote in message
...
Dan, that might work if the towplane's attitude was constant. However,
during a kiting event, the towplane is being pitched nose down, so the hitch
would not likely get activated, as the hitch to surrounding structure angle
may not change. I wish it could be that simple, but it isn't. See the
previous post about a kiting even where the glider was still in sight in the
mirror, even though the towplane was significantly nose down.

Steve