Towpilots ignoring turn signals

On Thursday, May 14, 2015 at 1:30:01 PM UTC-4, Dan Marotta wrote:
Right on the head, Charlie.



When we get a new tow pilot who's not a glider pilot, we give him a
lot of guidance on what glider pilots want in addition to the FAA
required training.* That said, it usually takes a couple of weeks
for the new tuggie to stop circling in dead air or simply flying
straight out that-a-way.* They're always good about accepting
steering commands via radio, though not so much via a tug on the
tail.* Fortunately we all have radios, but in a training
environment, I always expect some tail tugging with students on
board.* These are usually briefed in advance.




On 5/14/2015 11:07 AM, Charlie M. (UH
& 002 owner/pilot) wrote:



On Thursday, May 14, 2015 at 12:47:18 PM UTC-4, Dan Marotta wrote:


As a glider pilot and tuggie, please let me try to explain:



First, the radio is always preferable but, should communications
fail, then the signals take over.



As to the SSA/FAA difference on the glider requesting a turn signal
- use your head!* This is not meant in a confrontational manner but
think:* If the glider pulls your tail to the left, which way does
your nose point?* To the right, right?* Well, that's the direction
the glider wants to go.* It's unfortunate that the FAA won't make
such a simple change to an erroneous figure in their document.


Dan, maybe you've hit one of the issues on the head...... what is the background of the tow pilot?

If a "power guy", maybe they don't like getting steered.
If a "glider guy" that tows, maybe they don't mind.

At our field, pretty much all our tow pilots are also glider guys, thus they may understand what the glider pilot wants.
They also tend to have an idea on WHO is on the other end. A low time student may just be out of shape (towplane goes straight & ignores steering) while someone with more time may want steering.

We try to tow to the "hot spot of the moment" (based on last tow) but are willing to be steered as needed for those that "may" have a better idea.





--

Dan Marotta

Glad we agree...... ROTFLMAO.......

As to "steering", there is quite a bit of difference between:
-Slide to the side to steer the towplane in a new direction
vs.
-"Yank that MoFo waaaayyyyyy out there quickly" to get steering. Not approved.

Our towpilot rule is, "When I'm about to hit any control stop, the rope goes 'bye bye'". No use in 2 holes in the ground!!!

I lost a tow pilot friend that "tried to save a tow" from a squirrel that went way too high too close to the ground.