"toad" wrote in message
...
The wave off is not a
signal for "you need to release in 1 second". That signal is the tow
pilot pulling HIS release.

Sorry, I disagree. The wave off is a command. It means "release now".
Think of it as a pact with your tow pilot. Ten seconds is an eternity when you
are only a few feet from the ground and things are rapidly going to hell. When
you get the wave off, release now and ask questions later.

We have that signal to keep our tow pilots alive so we can get another tow
the next time we come out to fly. Yes, in a perfect world the tow pilot will
hand you the rope if he (she) has a problem, but there are situations where that
is not possible. Be kind to your tow pilot.

Vaughn