On Monday, February 25, 2019 at 10:11:36 AM UTC-5, Steve Koerner wrote:
Hank -

Do you have any thoughts on the separate problem of tow too slow with a ballasted glider? Wondering which might be better for that big problem. Maybe that problem is the same either way.

Second, I'm wondering about how glider lift off occurs for a low tow. Do you typically lift off with the towplane then immediately transition to low position or does the glider attempt to hold it down on the runway until the sight picture is correct for low tow?

Too slow is obviously a problem in either position- duh! That said the first thing most will feel in high tow is poorer position control when sinking into the wake. Control isn't as much an issue in low tow but it still feels bad.
In a flapped ship adding some more flap can get a bit of lift without pulling the leading edge up and reducing control.
Ships with no flaps are just screwed.
On takeoff I teach:
Lift off normally and get stable at a comfortable height, say 6- 8 feet.
Hold that position as the tug accelerates and lifts off.
When the tug starts to climb hold the glider down a bit so the tug outclimbs the glider . The glider stays in ground effect and the tug wake is dissipated.
As the tug wake starts to be above the glider smoothly transition to climb in the low tow position. Avoid doing this late and then having to climb hard to catch up.
Easier to do than describe but it feels very odd to someone not famailiar.
UH