On 5/10/2014 5:28 AM, wrote:

Cogent numerical analyses/discussions snipped...

The conclusion this draws me to is that the most important consideration
in PTT is to make a smooth, coordinated, deliberate turn that you can
manage easily - and to make sure not to dig the bottom wing into the
ground. Within a pretty broad range, there isn't much percentage in
optimizing the bank angle.

Snip...

I agree with B. Further,advocating very steep turns near the ground, even
if technically optimum, is likely to result in a less safe result for a
number of reasons. First- few pilots can execute such a turn accurately.
Speed control goes to crap as bank gets steeper. Second- The effect of wind
shear is much greater at very steep banks. Third- Timing of the turn is
much harder at high turn rate usually leading to overshoot. A moderate bank
of 30-45 degrees, [Tom Knauff...] points out correctly that most pilots, when
asked for 45 degrees will come out about 30, is close enough to optimum and
much more likely to be executed correctly. I submit that having a plan that
includes turning promptly in the correct direction for the conditions is an
order of magnitude more important than the bank angle used. UH

How cool (it is to me!) that experienced (instructors, number-crunching
engineers, thoughtful and concerned sailplane pilots) are contributing their
insights on this topic in the wake of what may or may not have been (yet
another) avoidable tragedy involving a low-altitude premature release from
aerotow. I'm sure I'm not alone in thanking them for their heartfelt offerings
toward improving soaring's future accident record.

Writing as a non-instructor, erstwhile practicing engineer and longtime pilot
with a lifelong interest in preservation (of self, soaring, general aviation,
nifty hand-crafted machines, etc.) here's my summation-to-this-point of
takeaway points for similarly interested future readers of this thread:
1) Mental preparation matters - be prepared with an executable plan!
2) Begin executing it as rapidly as informedly and safely practicable.
3) Retain control always!
4) Hit whatever you're going to hit, while still under control and flying.

Everything else is of lesser particular (though not necessarily ignorable :-))
criticality: mental flexibility (really, an extension of 1) above); bank angle
(see preceding-post excerpts above...with which I agree); even arguably speed.
Get the fundamentals right, and the details are much more likely to then be
correct...

Based on both numerous/uncounted field/B.S. conversations about soaring safety
aspects - as well as others' previous contributions to this thread - I'm
convinced "many of us (soaring practitioners)" can benefit from seriously
seeking to comprehend, absorb and internalize "fundamental takeaways" from
these sorts of RAS threads, skeptics notwithstanding...

Thanks everyone!!! Keep contributing!

Bob W.

P.S. Please take my above little attempt at summation as nothing more than one
individual's expressing some things he simply deems important...