Nice article on soaring on EAA web site

On Feb 11, 3:32*pm, Berry wrote:
In article
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" wrote:
On Feb 11, 10:51*am, 66 wrote:
On Feb 10, 6:32*pm, "Paul Remde" wrote:

http://www.eaa.org/lightplaneworld/a...iderflight.asp

Nice article.

But, arggh, a soft release in a Grob? With a Tost tow hook? Really?

Just curious, is this a US only aberration or is this dangerous
practice used in other countries?

Kirk
Grumpy in snowy Illinois

The PTS says "normal towline tension" *This is the way I was taught,
and the way I teach. *Every tow pilot I have ever asked said they
would prefer normal tension release. *Every textbook I can remember
reading says normal tension. I cannot think of *one good reason for a
"soft release" and many possible problems with it. *I have no idea
where this concept came from, and why it is still use/taught in some
places. *It is funny how bad ideas seem to "stick"...... *When I do
check rides for pilots I don't know, I usually say "Now you're not
going to do a "soft release" are you?" * Sometimes I forget and they
really scare the crap out of me when they suddenly pull up and then
dive!!!

There is a movement to standardize soaring instruction and
procedures.......He is an area which needs attention!

Cookie

Soft release is an old-time Schweizer thing. The Schweizer 2-33 frame
has a small cross member just in front of the tow release that gets hit
by the tow release arm when the rope is released under tension.
Eventually, the little cross member cracks. This lets in moisture and
then you get corrosion. The soft release was an attempt to prevent that.
People were taught to do this by old-time Schweizer instructors but were
never told why. The practice took on a life of it's own and persists.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

I have seen this cracking problem with Schweizers....I have also seen
Schweizers with a little rubber bumper pad installed where the hook
swings up, so it bounces off without causing any damage. I do not
know if this was "original equipment"

I have also seen a few Schweizers where the tow hook has gotten
"stiff" and will not open by gravity alone. It would be possible to
pull the release, with no tension on the rope, and have the rear part
of the mech. just go back in place with no release! At least with
"normal" tension on the rope, you are sure to release. (Yeah, the
stiff hook shoudl be repaired/adjusted).

I think the soft release deal is sort of fixing a small problem by
creating a big problem.

Cookie