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Old March 17th 09, 03:31 AM posted to rec.aviation.soaring
Mike the Strike
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Posts: 952
Default Aerodynamics of Towing

I calculated the rope tension as 25 pounds of aerodynamic drag (40:1
for a 1,000 pound glider) and 50 pounds to provide the force necessary
for the glider to climb. That's in the right ball park. The tension
obviously increases with the rate of climb since you have to impart
energy to the glider for it to ascend.

Mike