Towpilots ignoring turn signals

"Attempting to steer the towplane by pulling his tail around is just dumb. "

As a tow pilot, I expect the glider to pull my tail around and steer me to where he/she wants to go if they are not happy with my choice. I think Dave's response is just dumb. Obviously a radio call is the first choice for re-directing me.

As a tow pilot, I have no problem letting the glider steer me.

As a glider pilot, I have no problem giving the tow pilot directional suggestions. However, If the tow pilot is unresponsive to my suggestions, I don't push the envelope much past the normal wake boxing position.
That would be stupid.

Once a glider pilot tried to steer me toward a bank of clouds at our current altitude, and I refused. He was frustrated I guess, because he yanked my tail in the same direction a second time, as if forgetting to release the rope. The tow was an instructional flight and the instructor was attempting to demonstrate steering. He could have easily gone the other way, which was clear of clouds. So, I terminated the tow.
See ya...

The practice isn't inherently dangerous, done correctly. Some pilots don't.
Jim.

Jim,

Did you wave him off or drop the rope? Ropes and rings are expensive!

On 5/1/2015 7:08 AM, Jim David wrote:
As a tow pilot, I have no problem letting the glider steer me.

As a glider pilot, I have no problem giving the tow pilot directional suggestions. However, If the tow pilot is unresponsive to my suggestions, I don't push the envelope much past the normal wake boxing position.
That would be stupid.

Once a glider pilot tried to steer me toward a bank of clouds at our current altitude, and I refused. He was frustrated I guess, because he yanked my tail in the same direction a second time, as if forgetting to release the rope. The tow was an instructional flight and the instructor was attempting to demonstrate steering. He could have easily gone the other way, which was clear of clouds. So, I terminated the tow.
See ya...

The practice isn't inherently dangerous, done correctly. Some pilots don't.
Jim.



--
Dan Marotta

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhKpp1eMAbA



At 14:36 01 May 2015, Dan Marotta wrote:
Jim,

Did you wave him off or drop the rope? Ropes and rings are expensive!

On 5/1/2015 7:08 AM, Jim David wrote:
As a tow pilot, I have no problem letting the glider steer me.

As a glider pilot, I have no problem giving the tow pilot directional
suggestions. However, If the tow pilot is unresponsive to my suggestions,
I
don't push the envelope much past the normal wake boxing position.
That would be stupid.

Once a glider pilot tried to steer me toward a bank of clouds at our
current altitude, and I refused. He was frustrated I guess, because he
yanked my tail in the same direction a second time, as if forgetting to
release the rope. The tow was an instructional flight and the instructor
was attempting to demonstrate steering. He could have easily gone the
other
way, which was clear of clouds. So, I terminated the tow.
See ya...

The practice isn't inherently dangerous, done correctly. Some pilots
don't.
Jim.



--
Dan Marotta

It would be cool to have a Swift towed by an Extra 300, they could do counter-rotating synchronized rolls on tow...with colored smoke, that would look awesome!

Kirk

On Friday, May 1, 2015 at 10:37:05 AM UTC-4, Dan Marotta wrote:
Jim,



Did you wave him off or drop the rope?* Ropes and rings are
expensive!

Dan Marotta

Hi Dan,

My situation was pretty violent. It was a botched attempt at steering. There were two very strong tugs to my left, one after another. After the second wallop, I was convinced that the glider pilot thought he had released and was executing his clearing turn (we were near the release altitude).

I personally know two tow pilots that have been the recipient of clearing turns after the glider pilot _thought_ they had released and both tow pilots ended up standing on the rudder peddles. One wound up in an inverted spin.

I didn't want to give the glider pilot a third try, so I released them.
The instructor was smart enough to return to the airport with the rope.

I've never been yanked that hard, even in wave turbulence.
Believe me, they deserved the rope.

Regards,
Jim

Understand. Thanks for telling your story.

I had a glider get so far out of position once (high and outside the
turn) that, as I was reaching for the release, he dived across my tail,
wrapping the rope around the wing of his borrowed HP-14. The wing was
cut, top and bottom, all the way to the spar. He didn't even realize
what he'd done until that evening he when he asked for help derigging.
I was invited to come over and have a look.

Dan

On 5/3/2015 5:50 PM, Jim David wrote:
On Friday, May 1, 2015 at 10:37:05 AM UTC-4, Dan Marotta wrote:
Jim,



Did you wave him off or drop the rope? Ropes and rings are
expensive!

Dan Marotta
Hi Dan,

My situation was pretty violent. It was a botched attempt at steering. There were two very strong tugs to my left, one after another. After the second wallop, I was convinced that the glider pilot thought he had released and was executing his clearing turn (we were near the release altitude).

I personally know two tow pilots that have been the recipient of clearing turns after the glider pilot _thought_ they had released and both tow pilots ended up standing on the rudder peddles. One wound up in an inverted spin.

I didn't want to give the glider pilot a third try, so I released them.
The instructor was smart enough to return to the airport with the rope.

I've never been yanked that hard, even in wave turbulence.
Believe me, they deserved the rope.

Regards,
Jim


--
Dan Marotta