tow rope brake practice crash, what can we learn...

On 7/11/2011 1:38 PM, wrote:

What can we learn from this?
Are these training flights mendatory under FAA rules?
Can pilot request opt-out from "rope brake" during Biennial Flight
Review to avoid getting killed?
I remember once during BFR the instructor pulled the release on me in
the Blanik at about 200 feet, I had to do 180 turn and land down wind
from very low altitude. I think it was dangerous and unnecessary even
for an experienced pilot as me. Andre

Is this inherently dangerous? Not necessarily at all. Is it a useful
skill to have when used with judgment? Absolutely.

When is it dangerous? Like a lot of things in flying, "It depends."

As a CFIG, I insist and the FAA's PTS (amended 9/1/10) require that the
student be familiar with a variety of aero tow launch failures and must
demonstrate simulated aero tow failures "as required by the examiner."

The student needs to know how to do this safely and also needs to know
what under what conditions it's not safe. Further, he needs to evaluate
the field conditions before launch, not at 200' when the rope goes "ping."

At our field, on a calm, warm day, with two fat old guys in a Blanik and
a tow plane that has just had the long range tanks topped off, a
release at 200 feet would definitely make me a bit uncomfortable,
especially when I look at the trees. If the tow pilot continues straight
ahead, when I get to 300 ft. I might be in a worse position.

On the other hand, here comes the "it depends part", on a cool day with
a 10 kt breeze, quarter tanks in the tow plane and a petite student, the
maneuver is safe, fun, and an important skill to have.

On a long runway, in lots of wind, behind a powerful tow plane, in a
Schweizer 2-22 (Euro guys think Ka-4) landing straight a head may be a
better option.

It depends... Instructors must have this discussion with students.

The instructor has to impart equal parts of skill and judgment so the
students can be safe pilots.


--

Pete Brown
Anchorage Alaska

Going home after a long day
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1415/...22928754_b.jpg

The fleet at Summit. Mt. McKinley is about 45nm away at 20,320 msl.
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/187/4...cb8d2482_b.jpg

The 170B at Bold near Eklutna Glacier
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/168/4...a216d7bb75.jpg

An excellent discussion following a tragic event.

As a part time tow pilot, I've seen uncountable practice rope breaks, all of
which ended successfully. I also had one of our CFIs in his own Libelle
have an actual rope break at about 250 ft on departure; surprised us both!
....But he bade a textbook turn back and landing. I saw about 10 feet of
rope dangling from his nose but decided not to distract him by letting him
know. Instead, when I landed, I thanked him for bringing back the Tost
ring. My only other actual rope break was at about 2,500' AGL due to an
incredibly ham fisted retired commercial pilot. He also brought back about
25 feet of rope wrapped over the right wing of the G-103. That was also a
no-op.

On my commercial glider check ride some 25 years ago, there was a 25 kt wind
directly down the runway and the FAA examiner pulled the release at 200 feet
while we were flying straight out. I made a successful turn back in the
twin Lark (unlandable ahead) and landed about mid field, continued off the
end of the runway, used up all the grass in the field at the end, put a wing
on the ground, full rudder, and ground looped just short of the barbed wire.
He just said, "Nice job." I thought it was an unsafe maneuver ..