On Nov 18, 7:06 am, toad wrote:
Since the rudder waggle signal was brought up in another thread, I
have a few thoughts and would like to get other opinions. I am a
glider and tow pilot for my club, so I have thought these through from
both ends.

To start with, if the tow plane gives you a wave off signal, THERE IS
TIME TO THINK ABOUT IT ! If there was no time (30 sec or less to
disaster) the tow pilot will just pull their release. So any signal
that you get, you have enough time to carefully think. "What is that
signal; check spoilers or wave-off ?" Take 10 seconds and THINK !

On the tow-pilot side, assume that the glider pilot will most likely
release when you give the waggle, so don't waggle unless 1) you are
going to die soon, if the glider doesn't close the spoilers, or 2) the
glider is high enough and close enough to the airport to land with
full spoilers out.

If you have a radio, you could calmly call the glider and say "hey
glider, are your spoilers open ?" Don't say the word release, because
he might release. I still wouldn't do this close to the ground.

Todd Smith
3S

When you experience enough wave offs, you learn the signal. Years ago,
when flying at 29 Palms behind what I think was a 170, our tows only
went as high as the engine oil temperature would allow. Just wait for
the wings to rock and then release.

A comment regarding radios - using a radio would be nice but the
towplanes where I fly either don't have a radio or do not have them
turned on. In fact, I have never talked to a towpilot by radio in over
30 years of soaring!
Steve