On Aug 15, 7:51*pm, Andreas Maurer wrote:
On Sun, 15 Aug 2010 10:12:03 +0200, John Smith

wrote:
Derek C wrote:
The site in question is a narrow strip 800 metres long, sloping
downhill at about 1 in 10, on top of a hill and totally surrounded by
small unlandable vineyards. They always launched downhill,
irrespective of wind direction. Once above about 200ft, but below
circuit height, the only cable break option to get back onto site was
a 180 degree turn (teardrop circuit) to land back uphill.

And where's the problem?

The timing.

With such a short field it might be necessary to execute this teardrop
circuit at very low altitude because it's not possible anymore to land
straight-on.

Little error margin for finding the right compromise between executing
the turn ionto final at a healthy altitude and not too close to the
airfield.

It's definitely more relaxed to execute this teardrop circuit at
300ft+.

Cheers
Andreas

Here is a video of a German pilot getting a teardrop circuit wrong
after an 80 metre (about 250ft) cable break:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xCct...os=zqLm5HhNvPc

Derek C