View Single Post
  #173  
Old June 2nd 20, 12:15 AM posted to rec.aviation.soaring
Neal Alders
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 38
Default Fatal Towplane Accident 5-9-20

Sorry, forgot to answer your first question. It is safer because, #1 Safer for the tow pilot #2, easier to keep tow plane in sight. Better visibility looking up, than down. Ever lose sight of the tow plane in low tow?

Also, food for thought.

Next time you are in high tow, look at the position of the tow planes elevator relative to the stabilizer. Then, move to proper low tow. (Tip of gliders vertical fin a foot or two below the prop wash, on a Super Cub the horizontal stab should still be below the bottom of the trailing edge of the wing, about an inch of visible light between them) and check the elevator position again. In the Super Cub, the elevator was almost perfectly trailed with the stab in low tow, vs about 30% deflected up elevator in high tow. That tells me it is more efficient, and less aerodynamically loaded.