New type of Launch Method? Video

On Nov 25, 1:36*am, Peter Scholz wrote:
on my ASW24 (CG-hook only) I regularily lock the back-release feature
when aero-towing in the alps, due to the high turbulence that can be
experienced there. I simply push a cork from an ordinary wine bottle
behind the TOST hook, so that the swiveling part of the hook is blocked.

Does your tow pilot know you're doing this? They might not be happy.

I've flown a belly hook-only glider (Janus) in strong thermals and
rotor and never had any problem with the rope back releasing due to
going slack. It takes quite a positive backwards pull to make the cage
swivel. I don't think the weight of the rope alone would do it.

On Nov 25, 1:36*am, Bruce Hoult wrote:

Does your tow pilot know you're doing this? They might not be happy.

Why not? No Tost nose hook is capable of back release.

(And please let's not re-start the discussion about how dangerous it
is to aero-tow on CG hooks. In my experience with ASW-19b and ASW-28
it's a non issue so I doubt it is for the ASW-24).

Andy

Am 25.11.2011 09:36, Bruce Hoult wrote:
On Nov 25, 1:36 am, Peter wrote:
on my ASW24 (CG-hook only) I regularily lock the back-release feature
when aero-towing in the alps, due to the high turbulence that can be
experienced there. I simply push a cork from an ordinary wine bottle
behind the TOST hook, so that the swiveling part of the hook is blocked.

Does your tow pilot know you're doing this? They might not be happy.


Yes. They actually recomend it.

I've flown a belly hook-only glider (Janus) in strong thermals and
rotor and never had any problem with the rope back releasing due to
going slack. It takes quite a positive backwards pull to make the cage
swivel. I don't think the weight of the rope alone would do it.

It's no fun to find yourself released in a rotor with no real place to
land out below you. And blocking the cage in an aero tow doesn't hurt
anybody, it just makes the CG hook function like a nose hook.
--
Peter Scholz
ASW24 JE