100th anniversary of the tug!

[tango4]

Just think if the Wrights hadn't got it right 100 years ago today we'd all
still be stuck with winch launches.
:-)

Cool logo on google.com today

Ian

[Jim Buckridge]

"tango4" > wrote in message >...
> Just think if the Wrights hadn't got it right 100 years ago today we'd all
> still be stuck with winch launches.
> :-)
>
> Cool logo on google.com today
>
> Ian

Also a cool picture (and writeup) in NJ's "major" paper, The Star
Ledger.

Article:

http://www.nj.com/living/ledger/index.ssf?/base/living-2/1071645189227180.xml

Photo:

http://www.nj.com/photos/ledgerphotos/

Click on "See Thumbnails" under December 17, 2003 then click on the
photo for an enlargement.

The paper had a camera mounted on the wing strut.

If you follow the tow rope from the plane, you can find Somerset
Airport (look along the right edge of the photo about 1/2 way down).

[Ivan Kahn]

"tango4" > wrote in message
...
> Just think if the Wrights hadn't got it right 100 years ago today we'd all
> still be stuck with winch launches.
> :-)
>
> Cool logo on google.com today
>
> Ian
>

Wasn't the first flight on the 17th a "winch launch?" ;-)

Ivan

[Jack]

On 2003/12/17 11:13, in article
, "Jim Buckridge"
> wrote:


> ...a cool picture (and writeup) in NJ's "major" paper, The Star
> Ledger.
>
> Article:
>
> http://www.nj.com/living/ledger/index.ssf?/base/living-2/1071645189227180.xml
>
> Photo:
>
> http://www.nj.com/photos/ledgerphotos/
>
> Click on "See Thumbnails" under December 17, 2003 then click on the
> photo for an enlargement.

Photo legend:

"...the tow plane, a Piper Pawnee which was originally used as a
crop duster,...peels off after releasing a Schweitzer 2-33...."


Looks like a technique which varies a bit from that recommended, since the
2-33 is still wings level behind the tug. I'd rather see the 2-33 do his
standard right climbing turn before I fling the faithful tug to the left.
That way I know the 2-33 is definitely disconnected.

I doubt they are that close to a ridge line on their right wing from the
looks of the background.

Maybe the tug-driver has the pair right at the cloud clearance limit for an
unseen cloud off to the right, or some airspace to be avoided lies only a
few meters to their right -- yeah, that's got to be it.



Jack

[Vaughn]

"Jack" > wrote in message
...
> On 2003/12/17 11:13, in article
> Maybe the tug-driver has the pair right at the cloud clearance limit for
an
> unseen cloud off to the right, or some airspace to be avoided lies only a
> few meters to their right -- yeah, that's got to be it.

...or perhaps they just wanted a picture of a tow plane "peeling off"
after releasing a glider.

Vaughn
>
>
>
> Jack
>