Tow Pilot Rand/Question

What started me ranting are low time glider pilots (licensed) who tell me
they will release at a particular altitude, generally 3,000 feet, and then
do exactly that. I try to keep them in lift but they don't have the
experience to stay with me if I turn too tightly. The problem is that, I
may be going up like gang busters at 2,800 ft and they'll hang on and, at
3,000 ft, when I'm in sink and turning back towards the lift, they release
in the sink rather than wait another minute.

I was hoping to spark a discussion and it appears that I've done just that.


"T" wrote in message
...
On May 10, 7:34 am, "Dan Marotta" wrote:
This is prompted by someone's description of a flight involving high sink
from tow release to landing. The pilot stated that he released from tow in
800 fpm sink at 3,000' AGL.

It's so common when I'm towing to have the glider pilot tell me, "I'll
take
a tow to 3,000 feet." Then, during the tow, I hit super lift and the pilot
will hang on to the rope. He'll hang on until I'm struggling through sink
and hit the magic 3,000' and release!

I shouldn't complain since the higher tow means more income for the
operation, but I'd think pilot judgment would include releasing in lift -
even if it's below some preconceived release altitude.

Now, the instructors will say, "We need the altitude to accomplish the
objectives of the flight." I ask, "Wouldn't it better to demonstrate
judgment by releasing in strong lift and climbing to altitude to practice
maueuvers?"

Rant over...

Hopefully if you were in sink, you were attempting to turn back to the
lift when the glider released?
Many times the instructor will want straight tows with shallow turns
to accomplish training, slack line, box wake etc. and then the tow
pilot should be free to return to a known lift area.

You did not say if this was an instructional flight, solo student or
rated pilot.
I've had pilots tell me.. straight out.. into the wind. They get off
when they are ready. It is a currency flight for them, not interested
in soaring.

At the end of the day... it's still the customers dollars..

T

You missed the point entirely, Ray.


"rlovinggood" wrote in message
news:7768138.164.1336763933565.JavaMail.geo-discussion-forums@ynff7...
At contests that I attend, we have pre-paid for 2,000' agl tows. Why get
off any lower? There's a chance of getting off lower and missing the
thermal, then having to work like crazy to get back up to release height,
all before the gate has opened. I don't want to have to work before the
gate opens; I just want to relax a little and save my concentration to spot
the other gliders that are out there. They are marking thermals, so there
isn't a need to pull the release below the 2,000' agl mark.

Ray Lovinggood
Carrboro, North Carolina, USA

It's a good challenge and I really try, but starting at 6,200' MSL (8,500'
density altitude), it's a good struggle for a normally aspirated tug.

And, still, the point is about releasing in sink just because you're at a
preplanned altitude. Was that point not clear?


"Ventus2NZ" wrote in message
...
I am a tow pilot and fly competitions.

As a tow pilot the challenge is to plan your flight path to drop the
glider in lift at their release altitude.

On Tuesday, May 15, 2012 10:58:30 PM UTC-4, Dan Marotta wrote:
You missed the point entirely, Ray.


That's my standard operating procedure...

Ray

On Friday, May 11, 2012 12:18:53 PM UTC-7, rlovinggood wrote:
At contests that I attend, we have pre-paid for 2,000' agl tows. Why get off any lower? There's a chance of getting off lower and missing the thermal, then having to work like crazy to get back up to release height, all before the gate has opened. I don't want to have to work before the gate opens; I just want to relax a little and save my concentration to spot the other gliders that are out there. They are marking thermals, so there isn't a need to pull the release below the 2,000' agl mark.

Ray Lovinggood
Carrboro, North Carolina, USA

1500' agl in lift is much better place to release than 2000' agl in sink...

Ramy