Andre,

Cg hooks require more pilot attention as the tow line/wire does not
provide any additional stability as is the case with a nose hook. In
fact, it can severly aggrevate misuse of the controls. This is why a
nose hook is always preferred for aerotow.

For ground launches using a nose hook, the principal problem would
appear to be overpowering the elevator. The higher your angle of
climb, the more elevator would be required to keep the cable from
pitching the nose down. (A cg hook would not affect stick pressures
since the force vector is through the glider's cg, ie, no/little
forward pitch moment). Aside from load and structure problems, here's
the real killer. If the cable breaks, you have nearly full rear stick
applied. If not release immediataley, you are likely to enter a low
altitude, accelerated stall. Bad news.

I suspect that the problem related in the article was an acceleratated
stall while still on the cable. This would explain loss of control and
back release. It's not hard to see how an inexperienced pilot might
abuse the controls during launch and wind up in just such a situation.


(Andre Volant) wrote in message . com...
http://www.glidingmagazine.com/NewsArticle.asp?id=1371
http://www.glidingmagazine.com/
Correct "CG" release was used, which on PW5 is offsett forward of the
CG.
I was told that the nose hook is not allowed for winch towing of PW5.
That's what manual sais, but who knows why?
Which other gliders are not allowed to be winched by the nose?
I was told that PW5 has front and rear ballast weights, how
complicated is it?
Who is resposible for checking weight and ballance, if for example
student pilot has 3 hours (40 flights X 5min) of flight experience?
When does resposibility of flight instructor end?

Andre