"Steve Hill" wrote in message
...
I don't understand all the worry of a guillotine or cutter, if you are
flying with a weak link...?? Isn't the idea of the weak link that you can
induce a break in hte even things all go awry..??

Can someone clarify a bit further please...



Steve.

The winch weak link is pretty strong - about 1.3 times the gross weight of
the glider. You can break it but I wouldn't want to rely on that option.

The most common reason for firing a guillotine 'in anger' is that the lead
rope has fouled with the gliders wheel or skid so the pilot can't release.
This may happen when the glider gets jerked forward and rolls over the rope
in an unsteady start. That shouldn't happen if the lead rope is very stiff
as it is supposed to be. (BTW, this can also happen with air tow.)

Your inferred point that a guillotine is rarely needed is true. But, like a
parachute, it's pretty handy to have if the need arises.

Bill Daniels