On Jul 22, 12:36*pm, 5Z wrote:
On Friday, July 22, 2011 6:42:31 AM UTC-7, Dan Marotta wrote:
I've had two engine failures with gliders on tow (blown front engine seal
and failed oil pump) and both times the glider released when I rocked the
wings. *Had they not, I'd have dumped them without concern of the terrain
below.

Exactly! *If I get a wing rock, I'll think long and hard if pulling the release will put me in danger. *If, while thinking, the tow pilot dumps me, then the decision is made.

The tow pilot has two (radio is the third) options to "signal" the glider: wing rock and pull the release. *Pulling the release is easier to do, so if the towplane rocks its wings for me, I will assess the situation before pulling the release.

When driving a car, do you immediately swerve when something jumps out in front of you? *At a low speed this might work. *At high speed this results in a rollover. *Always, *think* before you act!!!

-Tom

"Don't just do something, sit there!"