On May 4, 3:12*am, Michael wrote:
Very beginning pilot here (again).....and I am confused about the
appropriate way of holding the stick during the ground roll prior to
take off.

In Thomas Knauff's Glider Basics, he states (p.59, 2005 edition):
"....before signaling to proceed with the launch, the glider pilot
should set the elevator by holding the control stick at the
approximate position that will result in the proper angle of attack.
To do this, move the control stick the full allowable travel fore and
aft, and then find the mid-point, or neutral position. *Move the
control stick back about 1/2 inch from this neutral position. *This
will be very close to the optimum position for takeoff. Aircraft
designers build aircraft this way."

However, in Russell Holtz's Flight Training for Gliders, I see (p. 27,
2008 edition): "If the glider norally rests on its main wheel and tail
wheel, the stick should be held forward of neutral, so the as the
glider picks up speed, the tail wheel will rise off the ground."

I'm training in a Blanik L-23, which has a main wheel and a
tailwheel. * Knauff makes no mention of whether to hold the stick
forward or aft depending on if the glider has a tail wheel or a nose
wheel, yet Holtz does.

(It's been three weeks since I've flown, and I can't remember what my
instructors did.)

For a glider with a tail wheel, which is correct?

--Michael

Michael,

Get a copy of the Condor soaring simulator (www.condorsoaring.com) and
do a 100 or so takeoffs in various wind conditions and different
sailplanes. Condor is realistic enough so you will get the picture
(literally) quickly.

What others may not have mentioned explicitly is that the initial
period only lasts for a few seconds during the first part of the
ground run. Once you have enough airspeed for decent elevator control,
then the initial stick position is irrelevant - you do whatever is
required to obtain the correct flying attitude during the rest of the
ground roll and takeoff.

Just my $0.02.
Frank (TA)