On Monday, April 7, 2014 7:20:38 PM UTC-5, wrote:
Also, am I right to assume that the tension on an aero tow rope pulling a 700 pound glider up at 600 feet per minute would be about 60 pounds? Further, would I be correct to guess that the tension on a tow rope towing through moderate turbulence would probably vary from 0 to 150 pounds? Bill Snead

Need to know a few more things. L/D of the glider, and tow speed. If I assumed 40:1 and 60 MPH, I came up with roughly 100 lbs line tension at 60 MPH, 600 ft/min climb rate, 700 lb glider. But, that was without going back to verify anything other than cancelation of units. Calculation was made up of two parts. Tension due to drag of the glider, and HP to climb converted back into line tension.

Your math may vary. Don't take this as gospel yet. :-)

Steve