Keep your hand off the release handle during aero tows!

At 17:44 04 October 2013, waremark wrote:
The UK recommendation is to hold the release during the start of a winch
la=
unch, due to the exceptionally short time available to avoid disaster by
re=
leasing if a wing is going down and you cannot prevent it with aileron.
Whi=
le this may not apply to an aerotow launch it is likely that pilots
trained=
on the winch and flying unflapped gliders would do the same for an
aerotow=
launch. I would expect pilots to take their hand off the release once
comf=
ortably clear of the ground. I have not heard of an inadvertent release.



The problem is on schemp gliders if the right wing goes down and you us
full
left stick and can't get the wing to lift you now can't get your hand to
the
release the next thing is an accident .
It happens very fast and before you say "won't happen to me" I know of a
fighter pilot and current glider pilot who cartwheeled a ventus .
My solution is 6 inch of parachute cord fastened round the release that I
can
hold loosely for those first 50feet or so .the transition from wing low to
crash
is so fast there is no time for anything .
Jon may