The rudder waggle signal does not work

What Gary said… Flying a glider without direct tow plane radio
communication is sheer foolishness. With today’s radio/battery
technology, or at minimum a handheld w/ PTT, there is zero excuse for
not having every glider and tow plane equipped with a radio. We would
never allow a glider to launch from our airport without a working
radio and contact with the towplane.

In the case of open dive brakes, the often misinterpreted and
ambiguous rudder waggle becomes replaced by a simple radio call and
the problem goes away with no guessing on either end of the string.
There is little chance the FAA will address the issue, so here’s a
controversial thought… maybe we should encourage insurance companies
to “adjust” their rates based on having a radio on board… that will
get the anti-progress crowd fired up!

Bob

On Jul 22, 9:01*am, RL wrote:
What Gary said… Flying a glider without direct tow plane radio
communication is sheer foolishness. With today’s radio/battery
technology, or at minimum a handheld w/ PTT, there is zero excuse for
not having every glider and tow plane equipped with a radio. *We would
never allow a glider to launch from our airport without a working
radio and contact with the towplane.

In the case of open dive brakes, the often misinterpreted and
ambiguous rudder waggle becomes replaced by a simple radio call and
the problem goes away with no guessing on either end of the string.
There is little chance the FAA will address the issue, so here’s a
controversial thought… maybe we should encourage insurance companies
to “adjust” their rates based on having a radio on board… that will
get the anti-progress crowd fired up!

Bob

I don't disagree with RL in any way. However, AM simplex aviation
radio is an anachronism dating from before WW2 which has real
limitations. Every procedure in aviation has backups for radio
communication failure including tower light signals and IFR
communications failures among others. We're no different.

For aviation radio to work it must be:
1. Turned on. (Battery charged)
2. Set to right frequency.
3. Squelch set correctly.
4. Volume set correctly.
5. Selected frequency free of interfering radio traffic - including
that from the station you're trying to contact.

There's a lot of room for radio communications to fail in a critical
moment. Even with radios, we still need the rudder wag signal as a
backup - and pilots have to know it. If you don't, you're going to
bust your next checkride or Flight Review.

On Jul 22, 9:53*am, Bill D wrote:
On Jul 22, 9:01*am, RL wrote:









What Gary said… Flying a glider without direct tow plane radio
communication is sheer foolishness. With today’s radio/battery
technology, or at minimum a handheld w/ PTT, there is zero excuse for
not having every glider and tow plane equipped with a radio. *We would
never allow a glider to launch from our airport without a working
radio and contact with the towplane.

In the case of open dive brakes, the often misinterpreted and
ambiguous rudder waggle becomes replaced by a simple radio call and
the problem goes away with no guessing on either end of the string.
There is little chance the FAA will address the issue, so here’s a
controversial thought… maybe we should encourage insurance companies
to “adjust” their rates based on having a radio on board… that will
get the anti-progress crowd fired up!

Bob

I don't disagree with RL in any way. *However, AM simplex aviation
radio is an anachronism dating from before WW2 which has real
limitations. *Every procedure in aviation has backups for radio
communication failure including tower light signals and IFR
communications failures among others. *We're no different.

For aviation radio to work it must be:
1. Turned on. (Battery charged)
2. Set to right frequency.
3. Squelch set correctly.
4. Volume set correctly.
5. Selected frequency free of interfering radio traffic - including
that from the station you're trying to contact.

There's a lot of room for radio communications to fail in a critical
moment. *Even with radios, we still need the rudder wag signal as a
backup - and pilots have to know it. *If you don't, you're going to
bust your next checkride or Flight Review.

There is no excuse for gliders or tow planes not to have radios but
that will never be infallible and here is also no excuse for tow and
glider pilots not to be proficient with the signals. I'd hope the
radio is always the tool of first use however.

But to emphasize the radio does have limitations I'll add these issues
-

o Properly installed with a good well positioned speaker or use of a
headset.

o Environmental noise appropriately managed (e.g. noisy side vents
that an interfere with listening). (Bumper's quiet vent kit helps if
you want to keep the vent scoop open on tow).

o Audio conflicts in the cockpit e.g. passenger/co-pilot/instructor
speaking at the same time.

o Use of confusing speech/phraseology, so even if the message is heard
it is not quickly understood. Whats are tow pilots expected to say on
the radio if spoilers appear deployed where you fly?

---

I'd like to always see careful use even of the radio e.g. tow to a
safe location/altitude if at all possible if spoilers are deployed -
before even using the radio which in itself could cause confusion and
a unintended release. And when made make it a very clear radio call
with the glider call-sign and "check spoilers" If that fails then
rudder waggle.

Darryl