Does anyone use a tug tow hook that releases automatically whenglider kites?

At 13:06 25 February 2014, kirk.stant wrote:
On Tuesday, February 25, 2014 1:34:31 AM UTC-6, Chris Rollings wrote:
=20
I've several hundred hours on 2-33's, unless the C of G is well aft the
=20
forward pressure required is not great. The hook is only just under
the
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nose, it wouldn't kite but it would get out of position high (and
probabl=
y
=20
off to one side) quite quickly. Any glider, even if trimmed exactly
righ=
t,
=20
would get out of position very quickly if you let go, a divergent
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horizontal 8 is the normal result of letting go.


I have several hundred hours in 2-33s (mostly in the back seat giving
rides=
) and I have to disagree - the forward pressure required to maintain
normal=
high tow position at normal (Pawnee) tow speed is significant - and WILL
r=
esult in a rapid uncommanded climb if it is released (such as in a case
whe=
n the pilot is distracted). I seriously doubt the 2-33 could be certified
t=
oday with it's mediocre flying characteristics and sketchy ergonomics.

Some research will reveal articles of long crosscountry repositioning
aerot=
ows of 2-33s where a system of bungee cords hooked up to the front stick
is=
described to relieve the pilot of continual forward pressure on the
stick.

There have been several cases of 2-33s either climbing or kiting a
towplane=
into the ground. And add to that the technique of "soft releasing"
makes
=
towing those beasts even more challenging. First solo of a small 14 year
o=
ld calls for serious attention to where the glider is going!

I'll stop and take my meds now before going into full rant mode....

Kirk
66


Kirk, I agreed a forward pressure is required on the stick and I admitted
that if the pilot let go of the stick (or failed to maintain that forward
pressure) then the glider would get out of position quite quickly - that is
not a kiting event and it can be stopped at any point by moving the stick
forwards.

Go and try it if you don't believe me.

On Tuesday, February 25, 2014 7:25:27 AM UTC-6, Chris Rollings wrote:


Kirk, I agreed a forward pressure is required on the stick and I admitted

that if the pilot let go of the stick (or failed to maintain that forward

pressure) then the glider would get out of position quite quickly - that is

not a kiting event and it can be stopped at any point by moving the stick

forwards.



Go and try it if you don't believe me.

I agree it isn't kiting. However, I disagree that it is a minor problem that "can be stopped at any point". The whole point (as shown in the video of the French K-13 climbing after the dive brakes opened) is that with a distraction, a pilot may not pay attention to his pitch position for long enough to get out of position - and in the 2-33, if you are distracted and relax pressure on the stick, you will climb A LOT! Not a kite, but enough to lose sight of the towplane or worse start pulling his tail up - that has happened to me.

Kirk
66