"W.J. (Bill) Dean (U.K.)." wrote in message
...
Schleicher used to fit what the customer wanted and was prepared to pay
for.

I have seen an ASW 15 which had been delivered new to a club in France,
and
later imported to the U.K., it had a forward hook for aerotow and no aft
hook for cable launching.

Many Schleicher single seaters were imported into the U.K. with only the
aft
hook for cable launching, this hook was of course then used for aerotowing
as well.

When gliding in the U.K. had been alerted to the possible risks of
aerotowing using the aft cable launching hook, many privately owned
gliders
were modified by fitting a forward aerotow hook, and I think this was
universal for club owned gliders.

Glasflugel with the Libelle got it right from the start by fitting both
hooks when it first appeared in 1965.

W.J. (Bill) Dean (U.K.).
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"Martin Gregorie" wrote in message
...


Correct me if I'm wrong, but fatal tug upsets have happened even with nose
hooks and there is no CG hook only glider that can't be safely launched by
air tow - if flown a good pilot. Before we go overboard with the CG/nose
hook debate, lets place most of the blame for these accidents where it
belongs - on the glider pilot who can't fly a particular glider or launch
method safely.

Air tow with a CG hook requires more care than with a nose hook, but it can
be done safely if the glider pilot is properly trained and pays attention to
business.

In support of a tug pilot who insisted on pre-flight discussions, let me say
that this is a necessary part of the glider pilots training. I have always
had a pre-flight talk with the tuggie to let him (or her) know that, should
anything start to go amiss, the tug should release instantly. I then brief
my student that the safe "box" within which the glider must be flown is
smaller with a CG hook and that it will take more care to stay in that box.
Should he stray outside the box he should expect the tug to instantly
release the rope.

As an aside, while I read of pilots who have attempted a "winch" launch by
air tow, I have seen pilots accustomed to air tow simply fail to climb on
winch launches. From the back seat, I can easily imagine a cartoonists
thought bubble over the pilots head with a big question mark in it - as we
sail down the airfield at 2 meters AGL waiting for something to happen.

We all need to thoroughly think through what is about to happen as the rope
is attached to the glider.

Bill Daniels