Keep your hand off the release handle during aero tows!

At 16:52 08 October 2013, Bill D wrote:
On Sunday, October 6, 2013 4:05:57 PM UTC-6, Don
Johnstone wrote:

All John says is absolutely correct. The sad fact is that this
type of
Which is? Come on, lets hear it Bill! BTW it is not always
possible to launch straight into wind due to the layout of some
glider sites. Wing drops are usually caused by gusts, which are
usually not predictable. The only safe way of dealing with them
is to release as soon as the wing starts to drop and before it
touches the ground. Releasing under tension often requires a
good firm pull, so a good firm grip on the release knob (or an
extension cable if necessary) is essential.

Derek Copeland


accident occurs on a fairly regular basis and as yet no one
has come up

with a plausible cause. What is clear that the wing drop is a
symptom and

requires that the glider is released very early which is why
the hand

should be on the release. A similar accident happened at my
club a month

back involving a Discus, in that case the pilot was unhurt but
the glider

was written off.

What is clear is that once the glider starts to yaw nothing on
this earth

is going to stop it except contact with the ground so early
release, to

mitigate the inevitable accident, is essential.



The sad fact is the UK hasn't figured out the cause - everyone
else has.