At 03:36 20 April 2014, wrote:
On Sunday, February 9, 2014 4:27:23 PM UTC-6, son_of_flubber wrote:
This topic was buried in a drifting degenerate thread. I'm wondering
if
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anyone knows more about the tow hook innovation mentioned below by UH.
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On Saturday, February 8, 2014 9:31:13 AM UTC-5, son_of_flubber wrote:
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Why does the pilot need to pull the release if the glider kites? Why
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the release for a deadly tow position not fully automatic? Is a simple
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ely mechanical, totally foolproof and 100% automatic release not
possible?
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As the guy in the glider, I would be fine with a 100% automatic release.
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I kite, release me immediately.
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On Sunday, February 9, 2014 5:05:52 PM UTC-5,
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There was a design and prototype of a release like this created many
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ars ago and published, I believe, in Soaring magazine. I know if no one
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t has adopted this which makes it fairly clear that this is not perceived
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s a huge problem.
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In the 1970's I was flying the tow plane giving pattern tows. At about
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0 feet agl the student pilot in a 2-22 pulled the release (but not far
enou=
gh to release the tow rope) and rolled to the right and up. In an
instant
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the tow plane pitched into what seemed like a vertical dive. The tow
rope
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either broke or was released. We never found any part of the tow rope.
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thing in my life ever happened faster than that upset. In over 7000
hours
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of flying, that upset is my most vivid memory.

Bill Snead

At my gliding club in the UK, the Robin tug planes have the release on the
left, with the throttle on the right. We therefore fly left seat, left
handed. Consequently to release a problem glider, one has to change hands
on the stick.
I can tell you from experience this is not particularly intuitive,
particularly in the case of a low height glider kiting incident. I've
experienced it at height when the glider turns away and climbs while
forgetting to pull his release. When hanging from the straps looking at the
ground even at 2000' or so, the first thing in your mind is 'what the
heck'!
Changing flying hands and releasing is not something we tug pilots
practise, especially at low height!

Flyerbrain.