See section taken from PTS private glider, below..."normal tension"

We argued about the Schweizer tow hook before here on RAS....It is easy to make the hook such that it doesn't "bang" open...metal on metal...

One of the worst things you can do is "go high" on the tow pilot!

And slack rope is something to be avoided too...

And why all the crazy gyrations, when you have more import concerns during release?

People who try this, and don't do it correctly...really interesting!

I teach my students to be in good, smooth, steady position before release....if your not in good position or stable..don't release until you are!

Cookie










FAA-S-8081-22
1-10
Change 1 (9/1/10)
F. TASK: TOW RELEASE
REFERENCE: Soaring Flight Manual.
Objective.
To determine that the applicant:
1. Exhibits knowledge of the elements related to tow release,
including related safety factors.
2. Maintains high-tow position with normal towline tension.
3. Clears the area before releasing the towline.
4. Releases the towline and confirms release by observing the
tow
line.
5. Makes level or climbing







On Thursday, July 2, 2015 at 10:19:01 AM UTC-4, kirk.stant wrote:
On Thursday, July 2, 2015 at 8:50:14 AM UTC-5, Papa3 wrote:
On Thursday, July 2, 2015 at 9:29:26 AM UTC-4, wrote:
"soft release" is a poor practice and not needed. It makes the release of the rope less positive, makes it much harder for the tug pilot to know the glider is off, and in extreme cases can leave enough slack to be a hazard.
Releasing from normal position, without excess tension beyond stable tow, does no harm to properly maintained Schweizer hooks.
Good example of RAS being a prime source for bad practices and misinformation.
UH

Ditto that. I had some guy show up at Blairstown one time for a field check. At the assigned altitude, I suddenly find us diving at the towplane.. I think I only got to "What the f..." before he released, at which point the rope passed within a couple of inches of my eyes in the back seat before pulling away. Seriously? It's a dangerous solution to a non-problem.

P3

Ditto ditto that! Had a young student on an early solo flight in a 2-33 (used to a heavy IP in the back) try a soft release on a pattern tow and just about kite me into the ground - he got talked to, you can be sure.

And soft releases off a Tost are REALLY stupid!

And while we are venting, "slingshotting" at the top of a tow to get an extra 20 ft of altitude really gets me steamed, too....

Kirk
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