Letter to the FAA
At 16:39 07 June 2017, Scott Williams wrote:
It is interesting to note that no one denies that the Schweizer hook has
an inherent design fault that can lead to failure to release.
It is clear that most people agree that the TOST release is safer and
does not suffer from the same fault.
It is obvious that a release control mounted near the throttle in a tow
plane provides more opportunity to release quickly in the event of an
upset.
It is well proven that if release is required in these circumstances it is
imperative that it happens quickly.
All these things have been "known" for some time, and for whatever
reason, some have ignored the common sense solution of fitting TOST
releases and mounting the release knob near the throttle.
Given that the people responsible for safety within the US soaring
community appear to have, and continue to, ignore the obvious danger
what other action could Walt possibly take?
As an outside observer from a part of the world where the fitting of the
release knob close to the throttle is mandated, as the result of one fatal
accident, (one that led to the death of a very good friend) I would have
to conclude that Walt really does have no alternative. No one else
appears to have the courage to take any action.
US soaring has had more than enough time to put it's house in order,
when self regulation fails there is only one other alternative.
That accident that I describe by the way, occurred 39 years ago, how
long does it take you to learn?
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