TOW PLANE Accident

...and another question: why do so many YouTube videos show the
glider pilot on tow NOT holding the release knob?
In fact it's hard to find a video where the glider pilot does hold the
release throughout the tow!
In a flapped machine that might require a flap change during the
initial stages of the launch it's understandable, perhaps for a few
seconds, but even after the flap change no one ever seems to hold
the release knob.
In the dim and distant past when I was taught aerotows they was
certain to be very loud angry noises from the rear seat if one let go
of the yellow knob. Has something changed in the instructor
manual?
Dave Walsh

On Thu, 21 Feb 2019 14:02:56 +0000, Dave Walsh wrote:

..and another question: why do so many YouTube videos show the glider
pilot on tow NOT holding the release knob?
In fact it's hard to find a video where the glider pilot does hold the
release throughout the tow!
In a flapped machine that might require a flap change during the initial
stages of the launch it's understandable, perhaps for a few seconds, but
even after the flap change no one ever seems to hold the release knob.
In the dim and distant past when I was taught aerotows they was certain
to be very loud angry noises from the rear seat if one let go of the
yellow knob. Has something changed in the instructor manual?
Dave Walsh

Agreed.

Two seaters or single seaters and winching or aerotowing, when I'm in
control my left hand is holding the yellow knob from 'taking up slack' to
release.

That's what I was taught and that's what I do. No reason to do otherwise
in our club two-seaters and Juniors or my Libelle.

My only exception has been when moving flaps from negative to zero when
the ailerons bite in an ASW-20 on aero tow, but even then its hand back
on yellow knob right away.


--
Martin | martin at
Gregorie | gregorie dot org

I have a long talk with my students about doing nothing else during the first 1000' of the tow except focus on the tow plane, and emergency options. Then, during the first 1000' I ask them to toggle the radio. Then I YELL at them for doing it, and we have another long discussion during post flight about killing tow pilots. I repeat this until they do nothing except focus on the tow plane, and emergence options.
Also, I disagree with holding the release during tow. Turbulence can cause a premature termination of the tow if you are holding the release.

Boggs

At 14:30 21 February 2019, Martin Gregorie wrote:
On Thu, 21 Feb 2019 14:02:56 +0000, Dave Walsh wrote:

..and another question: why do so many YouTube videos show the glider
pilot on tow NOT holding the release knob?
In fact it's hard to find a video where the glider pilot does hold the
release throughout the tow!
In a flapped machine that might require a flap change during the
initial
stages of the launch it's understandable, perhaps for a few seconds,
but
even after the flap change no one ever seems to hold the release knob.
In the dim and distant past when I was taught aerotows they was certain
to be very loud angry noises from the rear seat if one let go of the
yellow knob. Has something changed in the instructor manual?
Dave Walsh

Agreed.

Two seaters or single seaters and winching or aerotowing, when I'm in
control my left hand is holding the yellow knob from 'taking up slack' to

release.

That's what I was taught and that's what I do. No reason to do otherwise
in our club two-seaters and Juniors or my Libelle.

My only exception has been when moving flaps from negative to zero when
the ailerons bite in an ASW-20 on aero tow, but even then its hand back
on yellow knob right away.


--
Martin | martin at

you need an extended release cable or a piece of line on it so you can hook
it over your hand.
Can't change flap setting otherwise,and you can get in a position with the
stick hard over where you can't get to the handle in discus/ventus type
layout.
Gregorie | gregorie dot org

On Thu, 21 Feb 2019 16:11:22 +0000, Jonathon May wrote:

you need an extended release cable or a piece of line on it so you can
hook it over your hand.

Fair comment. My Libelle has a fairly long release cable so my hand is
resting on my leg with fingers loosely round the knob. Cable is slack and
hand supported by leg.

Juniors are also good: arm supported on the cockpit rail with fingers on
top of, but not round, the T-bar release. Needs little more than closing
fingers to pull the release.


--
Martin | martin at
Gregorie | gregorie dot org

I do NOT do or teach keeping a hand on the release during tow. In anything........
Never.
In several glass ships I fly (mostly AS.....) we may have a loop of rope on the release to make a bigger target.....yes, I stated that before.

I don't hang onto the release during tow.
I never taught to hang onto the release during tow.
In glass ships, we have a looped rope tied to the release and laid across our thigh to make a quick release easier.

Why no holding the release? Many things.....
A sneeze can pull it
Turbulence can pull it
Something sudden (like a bee/wasp flying around) can pull it

You do your thing, I'll do mine.
;-)

On 2/21/2019 10:13 AM, Charlie M. (UH & 002 owner/pilot) wrote:
I don't hang onto the release during tow.
I never taught to hang onto the release during tow.

I wasn't taught to hold the release during tow, and I don't teach that
to my students. You are more far likely to cause an accident that way
(through PTT) than to ever prevent one.

That said! Every glider pilot should give serious thought to the
position of the left hand during (especially) early tow. Depending on
your glider and its cockpit ergonomics, the answer will not always be
the same. Myself, particularly in 2-place gliders, I often have my
closed fist firmly behind the spoiler handle. (Never with fingers
wrapped around it, because that could also lead to a PTT) This ensure
that the spoilers can't accidentally open, while at the same time
anchoring my hand near the release so that I can instantly grab it if
necessary.

YMMV

By all means, let's do whatever it takes to keep our tow pilots alive!

Vaughn


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On Thursday, February 21, 2019 at 10:13:06 AM UTC-5, Charlie M. wrote:

I don't hang onto the release during tow.
I never taught to hang onto the release during tow.
In glass ships, we have a looped rope tied to the release and laid across our thigh to make a quick release easier.

I totally agree with this and use the looped cord! My release "knob" is a small diameter sphere and it too easily has slipped from my grasp.
Thanks, Charlie for pointing out the best course of action here.

On Thursday, February 21, 2019 at 5:13:06 PM UTC+2, Charlie M. (UH & 002 owner/pilot) wrote:
I don't hang onto the release during tow.
I never taught to hang onto the release during tow.
In glass ships, we have a looped rope tied to the release and laid across our thigh to make a quick release easier.

Why no holding the release? Many things.....
A sneeze can pull it
Turbulence can pull it
Something sudden (like a bee/wasp flying around) can pull it

You do your thing, I'll do mine.
;-)

Exactly, keeping your hand on release greatly increases risk for inadverted release which on many airfields leads to accident when done at low altitude. Only time I keep my hand on the release is beginning of take of roll, for aborting the tow if wingtip catches ground: https://youtu.be/WduEiQqLWJU