"Vaughn" wrote in message
...

Aerial tow is hard even when you have an experienced pilot at each
end of
the rope. Take a couple of glider lessons (at a field where they use
aerial tow
for launch) and you will quickly see what I mean. Hint: the glider does
not
willingly follow the tow plane like a trailer follows a car; you gotta fly
it
every second , and it is a learned skill.

Vaughn


As Vaughn mentioned, "it is a learned skill." From the gliders viewpoint it
is a type of formation flying, or wing-matching-tail-chase. The low tow
position (flying below the tow plane's wake) gives a look and feel similar
to the U.S Naval aviation version of air-to-air refueling.

When you tie two aircraft together both are at an increased risk when the
other aircraft has a problem. The tow plane is at a much higher risk than
the glider. The glider getting out of position close to the ground can
easily put the tow plane in a position from which it can not recover. If
the tow plane has a power failure shortly after becoming airborne, again the
glider is less at risk. An experienced pilot flying a glider with 35 to 1
or better glide ratio shouldn't have a problem doing a 180 and landing
down-wind. (I've done it from 250 feet with room to spare.)

Wayne
HP-14 N990 "6F"
http://www.soaridaho.com