Towpilots ignoring turn signals

On Saturday, May 2, 2015 at 7:46:38 AM UTC-4, Bruce Hoult wrote:

If it is merely a signal to the towpilot that has little to no actual effect on the towplane and it's up to the tow pilot to take the hint or not, then that is one thing. If it is physically pulled the towplane's tail around then that is quite another!

That seems to sugar coat what happens sometimes... To paraphrase my excellent and expert CFI-G... 'You really have to pull on the tug's tail and point him in the direction that you want to go.' And so, on more than one occasion, I've given much more than a subtle signal and I've not yet gotten a complaint from a tug pilot.

That said, I will going forward, use the radio in lieu of tail pulling. Maintaining optimal position behind the tug might provide a slightly better margin, especially on a gusty day, and especially if a tug pilot might react by releasing me at low altitude.

I still think that 'boxing the wake' (with the tug pilot's OK) on a reasonably calm day is a very good skill building exercise and that it is well worth the small risk above 1500 AGL or so.

On Saturday, May 2, 2015 at 9:48:07 AM UTC-7, son_of_flubber wrote:
I still think that 'boxing the wake' (with the tug pilot's OK) on a reasonably calm day is a very good skill building exercise and that it is well worth the small risk above 1500 AGL or so.

There is *no* risk - it's standard operations, and a tow on a good soaring day or rotor is likely more stressful on the rope and towplane.

5Z

I do not need the tug pilots "Ok" to box the wake. Although as a courtesy in a training environment I will call to ask him to "hold heading" for the student. It's normally been pre briefed before takeoff anyway.
Boxing in a turn, no issues, it's a little tough for the tow pilot when you are inside the turn, he has to work harder, but he'll be rewarded when you are outside the turn.

As a CFIG and Tow Pilot, we train our tow pilots. It's hard to get qualified Pawnee tow pilots, so we grow our own.
During qualification training I will go to the left and right limits on tow so the new tuggie will know what could happen. I will not go to low limit, just a little lower than a normal box the wake. I will move off to the side so I can see the tow and move to a god awful high position so the new tuggie can realize what could happen if a glider kited on him.

I had a visiting glider pilot that zoomed and turned to "spring board" off the tow to get some extra altitude. I saw him go low and felt him start his zoom climb. He yanked me pretty hard and was late on his release and pulled my tail up and side ways, I told him if he tries that again it was his last tow at our club.
BillT