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#1
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The Soft Release?
I'm not sure about the rest of the world, but here in the USA it's pretty
wide spread to release the tension on the tow rope before pulling the release handle by getting a little high, and then doing a shallow dive. If I remember right, this came about because the tow hooks on the Schweizers were swinging forward, beating themselves to pieces when pulled with a lot of tension on the line. I think this maneuver is no longer necessary because the tow hooks on the Schweizers were modified with a friction device in the slot in front of the arm that cushions the arm as it swings forward, but the practice is now standard in many places. It may be a good idea in theory, but the reality of the situation is that this is not an easy thing to do for a lot of pilots. There are many pilots that pull up too far, and then actually overtake the rope before pulling the release, so that now the end of the line is dangling somewhere along side the ship. I sounds like an easy maneuver, but in my opinion, it's more dangerous than it's worth. I think the practice of attempting a soft release should be eliminated. In my opinion, pulling the release with tension on it is much safer. I think undoing the occasional knot in the rope is far safer than the possibility of getting tangled in the end of the rope. Is this practice used anywhere else in the world? Please give me some feedback. Gary Boggs |
#2
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The Soft Release?
In article , Gary Boggs
writes I'm not sure about the rest of the world, but here in the USA it's pretty wide spread to release the tension on the tow rope before pulling the release handle by getting a little high, and then doing a shallow dive. If I remember right, this came about because the tow hooks on the Schweizers were swinging forward, beating themselves to pieces when pulled with a lot of tension on the line. I think this maneuver is no longer necessary because the tow hooks on the Schweizers were modified with a friction device in the slot in front of the arm that cushions the arm as it swings forward, but the practice is now standard in many places. It may be a good idea in theory, but the reality of the situation is that this is not an easy thing to do for a lot of pilots. There are many pilots that pull up too far, and then actually overtake the rope before pulling the release, so that now the end of the line is dangling somewhere along side the ship. I sounds like an easy maneuver, but in my opinion, it's more dangerous than it's worth. I think the practice of attempting a soft release should be eliminated. In my opinion, pulling the release with tension on it is much safer. I think undoing the occasional knot in the rope is far safer than the possibility of getting tangled in the end of the rope. Is this practice used anywhere else in the world? Please give me some feedback. Gary Boggs Although this doesn't relate directly to what you are asking, its very useful for the tug pilot to be able to unmistakably feel when the glider has released. Releasing with a bit of tension in the cable is a way of doing this. -- Mike Lindsay |
#3
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The Soft Release?
Gary,
Arizona Soaring (Estrella) still uses the soft release. I got to execute one during my BFR last week. If what you said about the Schweizers is correct, I agree with you that they shouldn't be taught. Terry C, you troll these waters and instruct at Estrella, what say you? ~ted/2NO |
#4
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The Soft Release?
Amen! I'm a firm believer that the release should be performed with
normal tension in the tow line. Way easier to see the rope spring away from you so you can confirm the release and it's a lot harder to get tangled up in the rope when it's going away from the nose of the glider. The soft release is a great way to cause a serious accident that also endangers the tow pilot unnecessarily. From the tow pilot end it's lots easier to know someone has gotten off with a normal release and initiate the proper turn immediately. Gary Gary Boggs wrote: I'm not sure about the rest of the world, but here in the USA it's pretty wide spread to release the tension on the tow rope before pulling the release handle by getting a little high, and then doing a shallow dive. If I remember right, this came about because the tow hooks on the Schweizers were swinging forward, beating themselves to pieces when pulled with a lot of tension on the line. I think this maneuver is no longer necessary because the tow hooks on the Schweizers were modified with a friction device in the slot in front of the arm that cushions the arm as it swings forward, but the practice is now standard in many places. It may be a good idea in theory, but the reality of the situation is that this is not an easy thing to do for a lot of pilots. There are many pilots that pull up too far, and then actually overtake the rope before pulling the release, so that now the end of the line is dangling somewhere along side the ship. I sounds like an easy maneuver, but in my opinion, it's more dangerous than it's worth. I think the practice of attempting a soft release should be eliminated. In my opinion, pulling the release with tension on it is much safer. I think undoing the occasional knot in the rope is far safer than the possibility of getting tangled in the end of the rope. Is this practice used anywhere else in the world? Please give me some feedback. Gary Boggs |
#5
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The Soft Release?
In message , Gary Boggs
writes I'm not sure about the rest of the world, but here in the USA it's pretty wide spread to release the tension on the tow rope before pulling the release handle by getting a little high, and then doing a shallow dive. If I remember right, this came about because the tow hooks on the Schweizers were swinging forward, beating themselves to pieces when pulled with a lot of tension on the line. I think this maneuver is no longer necessary because the tow hooks on the Schweizers were modified with a friction device in the slot in front of the arm that cushions the arm as it swings forward, but the practice is now standard in many places. It may be a good idea in theory, but the reality of the situation is that this is not an easy thing to do for a lot of pilots. There are many pilots that pull up too far, and then actually overtake the rope before pulling the release, so that now the end of the line is dangling somewhere along side the ship. I sounds like an easy maneuver, but in my opinion, it's more dangerous than it's worth. I think the practice of attempting a soft release should be eliminated. In my opinion, pulling the release with tension on it is much safer. I think undoing the occasional knot in the rope is far safer than the possibility of getting tangled in the end of the rope. Is this practice used anywhere else in the world? Please give me some feedback. Well, I was taught to release under tension and then pull up once you are certain that the rings were going away. This increases the glider - rope separation as quickly as possible. Regards Robin Gary Boggs -- Robin Birch |
#6
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The Soft Release?
Gary Boggs wrote:
I think the practice of attempting a soft release should be eliminated. In my opinion, pulling the release with tension on it is much safer. As someone whose training was in 2-32s, I disagree. The soft release is a useful technique. Too many times I've had to pry the release mechanism back out with a big screwdriver. Here's the thing. When I fly a modern fiberglass ship, I don't use the soft release. But on the rare occasions when I find myself in a 2-33, 2-32, etc. I still use the soft release. It's hardly an advanced maneuver to master. If a pilot has trouble doing something that basic safely, how do they ever handle more than a trivial amount of slack in the rope? Jeremy |
#7
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The Soft Release?
Jeremy Zawodny wrote: Gary Boggs wrote: I think the practice of attempting a soft release should be eliminated. In my opinion, pulling the release with tension on it is much safer. As someone whose training was in 2-32s, I disagree. The soft release is a useful technique. Too many times I've had to pry the release mechanism back out with a big screwdriver. I'd have to agree with Jeremy on this. Although I still use the soft release on a "high performance" ship. I have a Schreder-design towhook. It seems to be a robust design. But why subject it to more stress than necessary? I was first taught the soft release technique by a CFIG in Hemet. I use it most of the time now. The procedure seems perfectly safe. I won't complain about less wear on the release mechanism. No tow pilot has complained. Regards, -Doug |
#8
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The Soft Release?
If an instructor can give me a logical explanation
for why...I will demonstrate either for him. Personally, I release in thermals whether the rope is tight or slack. |
#9
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The Soft Release?
Stewart Kissel wrote:
If an instructor can give me a logical explanation for why...I will demonstrate either for him. Personally, I release in thermals whether the rope is tight or slack. Yup! Pull the plug and crank it tight. If the release can't stand it then fly a better glider! Andy |
#10
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The Soft Release?
"Gary Boggs" wrote in message ... I think undoing the occasional knot in the rope is far safer than the possibility of getting tangled in the end of the rope. Is this practice used anywhere else in the world? Please give me some feedback. It would have to be a pretty wild "soft" release to result in a glider tangled in the tow rope. That said, I know of one nasty accident that resulted from the apparent failure of a glider pilot to confirm release. Our site always stressed that the glider must not move out of position until the glider pilot has visually confirmed rope release. But it is far harder to visually confirm release after a soft release because the ring tends to dangle out of sight below the glider's nose and there is no rope "snap" to observe. I vote for a normal release. Vaughn |
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