I've got a low serial number LAK-17a which came from the factory with only a
cg hook. Later, when a nosehook was made available in response to the LBA
directive, the factory stated that the nosehook could not be retrofitted.
So far, the only launch issue has been a tendency to drop a wing at the
start of the launch which I seem to have solved by starting the roll with
the flaps reflexed. Until seeing this thread, I hadn't given the hook
position much thought.

None of the tow pilots where I've flown have commented on it; in fact two
of them have flown the glider. I also don't recall any discussion about the
cg hook during the check-out when I flew a club Pilatus a few years ago.

There doesn't seem to be any unusual tendency for the ship to pitch up on
tow and it seems to follow the towplane reasonably well. I haven't towed
through serious rotor yet, but it seems to behave well on tow in rough
conditions.

How concerned should I be about this? I have no desire to harm a tow pilot
or myself, but I don't want to undertake a major modification to the ship if
it isn't necessary. Any other Lak-17a pilots out there with a cg hook and
an opinion?

Ray Warshaw
1LK



"Bill Daniels" wrote in message
...

"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
glide
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.).
Remove "ic" to reply.


"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