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Old November 17th 07, 01:42 AM posted to rec.aviation.soaring
Mike the Strike
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Posts: 952
Default Identifying the other guy


By the way, if you disagree with the effectiveness of the current
signal to speed up (Hint: "Rock & Roll"), volunteer to chair a
committee to change it.


It may work if you're flying a Gollywomper, but not with a heavily
ballasted racing ship. At one contest, my tow pilot hit a strong
thermal and rapidly slowed down. Before I could even hit the
microphone button, I had almost lost control and sank rapidly into low
tow position, well below his mirrors. I had too little airspeed to
rock or waggle anything, and my only pitch control was the rope
holding the nose up, so I released and dropped backwards off the tow
rope.

I've had a few similar experiences, but would never ever try to signal
the towplane pilot except by radio.

Mike