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Old March 6th 07, 05:55 AM posted to rec.aviation.soaring
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Default Low towing thought

On Mar 5, 8:34 pm, "Mike the Strike" wrote:
On Mar 5, 8:50 am, Martin Gregorie wrote:

I did annual checks about a month ago, when we were encouraged to try
low position on the way up for spin checks. I decided that I like low
tow and will use it in future, but before I do so there's one thing I'd
like to ask the Aussies and other habitual low towers: when you release
do you just pull the bung in the low position or do you pop up above the
wake first?


That was the procedure I was taught in South Africa. Just release and
immediately initialize a turn away.

It is interesting, though, when the tug slows down in a thermal to
watch the slack tow rope disappearing backwards over your canopy
towards the tail! I had a Jantar-1 that had a forward, but not nose-
mounted tow hook.

Mike



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Interestingly enough, the FAA written exam. includes a question on
just this subject. The question is something like (pardon the liberal
paraphrasing, I left my book at the shop) "Releasing the tow rope from
the low tow position is:" A. Just fine; B. Not so good, because the
rope can snap forward and whack the towplane; C. Not a good idea
because it can whack your glider after release. The FAA's "correct"
answer is C.
I have only a CG hook, and would be kind of uncomfortable with the
tow rope rubbing the side of my glider during the entire tow.

Jim