Judy Ruprecht wrote in message ...
At 14:18 10 February 2004, Pat Russell wrote:
Is 'crabbing' a maneuver?

Sort of... in the US Practical Test Standards for gliders,
the term 'crab' is not used. I suppose this is because
there may be instances when a flight test is performed
with little or no wind aloft, making a crab difficult/impossible
to demonstrate. There are, however, four tasks which
may involve using a crab:

- the 'Normal and Crosswind Takeoff' task for aero
tow requires that the applicant maintain 'directional
control and proper wind-drift correction throughout
the takeoff.'



The Tow pilot or the glider pilot? Take off, when does it start, and
end?
One cannot crab on the ground! Once airborne only the towpilot has to
crab, the
Glider's longitudenal axis is in line with the Tug's fuselage and the
towrope?
Both of them crab as one?....Reading the above, there is no crabing
mentioned.
I teach to keep the glider on the ground, until the Tug lifts off.
(directional control) upwind wing down, slight forward pressure,
oposite rudder, as needed. Like landing in a slip! After liftoff, as
a towpilot, I do not want the glider to do any special manouvers, he
may keep me from crabing! Just hang on!

Soarski