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Old June 3rd 20, 02:06 AM posted to rec.aviation.soaring
son_of_flubber
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Default Fatal Towplane Accident 5-9-20

On Tuesday, June 2, 2020 at 1:35:05 PM UTC-4, Hightime wrote:
How does one combat turbulence and fly smoothly in low tow ...


I've had opportunities to aerotow through rotor to fly in wave.

After the tug flies through a patch of lift/sink, time elapses before the glider flies through same patch, and by then the tug may fly through a different patch of lift/sink. Its normal for the glider to move somewhat above and below the optimal high tow position. With practice, I've learned to smooth out this oscillation with elevator and rudder/spoilers, but it is not possible, nor desirable to try to completely eliminate the bobbing above and below optimal position. Attempting to do so leads to overshooting the optimal position. In high tow position, the glider can bob somewhat above and below optimal position without overwhelming the tug's elevator authority.

Is it okay for a glider to bob above and below optimal low tow position?

What about the oscillation in bank angle in rotor that is tolerable in high tow position? Is aileron authority any different in low tow position?