On Sunday, June 1, 2014 7:20:14 PM UTC-4, Kevin Christner wrote:
I had my first "rope break" ever today. I was approximately 200-250ft above the ground. Emergency procedures were not a problem.



The Tost released for some reason. Its a nose hook so the back release mechanism could not have been the culprit. Further testing with the wheel break on the ground revealed no problems so I took another tow and had no problems. The ring may not have been engaged properly (doubtful) or the slack I got in the rope was just too much when it tightened back up (probable but the release still should have held).



In any case has anyone else ever experienced an actual emergency unplanned release? In 14 years of flying I have never heard of one. Good thing we do practice this.



2C

Kevin,

I had my first (and hopefully only) one with full water ballast 200 ft, windy conditions at Perry a couple of years ago. I was the first glider on the grid, and managed to get it back down safely, without running into the other 61 gliders on the grid! The line crew immediately turned me around and launched again, even before I had a chance to clean out my underwear ;-).

Frank (TA)