Walt's concern is valid. He's identified a risk, albeit one that we've known about for decades.

I think Andy's post is spot on: the most effective way to save lives in soaring is to stop flying. If we reject that Draconian solution, everything else involves balancing risk vs. reward. We can never reduce the risk to zero, and anyone who wishes to can stop flying right now. The goal should be to reduce or mitigate the risks we can at a reasonable cost and continue to be vigilant about those that remain.

To me there are two questions:

1. How serious is the risk of using Schweizer tow releases? There are two components: a) how likely is it that a serious upset can occur?; and b) what are the consequences if it does? Statistics seem to indicate it's very unlikely, though not zero. The consequences if it does occur depend on the skill of the pilots, the altitude of the tow combination, the breaking strength of the rope, the specific installation, and probably some other factors, and range from a few exciting seconds to a potential fatality. I suspect the total risk as I've defined it is very small. But it's significant enough (especially if you're a tow pilot) that you would like to reduce it.

2. How to manage this risk? Steve offers a series of actions, most of which require someone to take the lead. Walt is "offering" to take the lead because it's the only thing he sees that he can do. Whether he's serious or terribly misguided in calling in the Feds, he's certainly gotten our attention..

And, yes, the FAA read RAS just like they used to read Charlie Spratt's posts about sailplane racing. Years ago, one of those triggered a visit from two knowledgeable-but-concerned employees at a Western contest site the day after Charlie reported, ironically, on a non-accident towing incident.

I should add that insulting others on social media because they don't agree with you doesn't work very well. So who wants to take the lead and show that soaring can manage this risk intelligently?

I'm not even a power pilot, much less a tow pilot.

Chip Bearden
"JB"