training and flight reviews.. do you review signals in-flight as part of
your flight review?

Do not blame the tow pilot if the glider pilot does not know the signals.
The tow pilot will not learn a different signal for every pilot.
That is why we have "standards".

Scenario #1.. instructor coordinates with tow pilot.. at 400 ft, give me a
rudder waggle, dependent on the airfield, this should be high enough to
allow for a safe landing back on the airfield
so at 400ft.. the tow pilot gives the requested signal.. and the glider
pilot releases..

The instructor now has a reason to not endorse the completion of the flight
review, per 61.56
and to request the pilot receive additional training in the "standard
soaring signals" to complete his 61.56 requirements.

Scenario #2.. a slow climb in progress.. tow pilot notices the spoilers are
open and calls the glider..
no response... another call.. no response.. other traffic on the radio.. or
the glider pilot has his radio volume set to low
to the tow pilot "resorts to the standard signal" and waves his rudder...
yes.. from this location the glider could make a safe recovery to the
airfield if he "forgets and releases"
but the glider pilot releases,, does not realize his spoilers are open.. and
lands short of the airfield.

BT
CFIG and Tow Pilot

"Marc Ramsey" wrote in message
...
BT wrote:
ahh.. excuse me... but I do not think the rudder waggle is the release
signal.. at least in the USA

Rudder waggle was the "release at your discretion" signal at a lot of
places in the USA. The "check your glider" signal is fairly recent
innovation (past 10 or 15 years?). You can complain about training if you
like, but I bet the majority of US pilots will nonetheless release
immediately if you waggle the rudder at them...

Marc