Quote:
Originally Posted by Frank Whiteley
On Sunday, June 4, 2017 at 9:32:03 PM UTC-6, JS wrote:
On Sunday, June 4, 2017 at 5:43:09 PM UTC-7, Walt Connelly wrote:
ND;948042 Wrote:
I, along with many others, agree with burt on this one walt. go through
steve northcraft if you choose to pursue this further.
On Tuesday, May 23, 2017 at 8:43:10 PM UTC-4, Walt Connelly wrote:-
Before I send my letter to the FAA I'd like to ask if anyone has ever
attempted to get them to see the light and end the use of Schweizer
hooks on tow planes here in the land of the free and the home of the
brave. It is a well known fact and clearly stated in the SSA/SSF and
FAA circulars and literature that under certain conditions (the exact
condition that the tow pilot will need to release) that it can be near
impossible to release the glider. Tow planes have crashed, lives have
been lost and at the same time everyone knows that this is a dangerous
situation.
Along with the conversion to Tost hooks I'd like to see it made
mandatory that the release handles be up high, near the throttle and
quickly available to the tow pilot with adequate mechanical advantage.
I
can assure you that one does not have the time to go ducking and
reaching and feeling for a handle down on the floor of a Pawnee while
the glider kites in back of you.
The idea of requiring nose hooks on all gliders does not seem to be
feasible although it has been brought up to me as something that needs
to be addressed. My understanding is that the CG hook is meant for
ground/winch launch operations, however I have probably done
thousands
of CG hook aero tows with no problem. For the most part these are
ships
being flown by the best and most aware pilots. I'd like more input
from
experience pilots on this point.
I currently have a number of highly experienced pilots from all levels
of aviation in agreement with me and willing to help me in this cause.
If one life is saved as a result of this endeavor then it will be well
worth it.
Walt Connelly
--
Walt Connelly-
Who is Steve Northcraft and what authority does he have to affect the
situation?
Walt
--
Walt Connelly
He's just the chair of the SSA Government Liaison Committee.
Other than that Mrs Kennedy, how was Dallas?
Jim
Tried to PM Walt at an AOL address with Steve's contact info. SSA committees and member information are only visible when logged into the SSA web site.
Frank Whiteley
|
Frank,
I am in receipt of your email with Steve Northcraft's contact information. What exactly would you have me do? Submit my report to him for presentation to the FAA?
My problem is that I have found accidents as far back as 1999 which acknowledged that the tow hook release mechanism revealed the potential for binding of the release latch when the aircraft being towed moved significantly above the normal horizon position. (NTSB SEA99FA080) This among others and the acknowledgement in SSA, SFF (page 9 SSF Tow pilot training course and FAA Advisory Circular, Date 3/3/08 AC # 43.13.2B) that the release might fail to operate AT THE VERY MOMENT WHEN IT MIGHT SAVE THE TOW PILOT'S LIFE.
I can attest to the fact that these things can occur in the wink of an eye and at certain altitudes they will be potentially fatal regardless of the type of hook or release handle availability. That does NOT negate the fact that the tow pilot deserves a fighting chance to survive and should not be held captive to an antiquated system when that system is known to be prone to failure when needed the most. Been there, done that.
A Canadian soaring club 30 years ago recognized this problem as a result of an accident, they now have Tost hooks and a release up near the throttle as per Dave Springford.
The BGA recognized this problem and now it is mandated that the release handle be located close to the throttle and I am informed by reliable sources that Tost hooks are the norm.
So where is the SSA, SFF in this regard? What actions have they taken to recognize and correct this? I would be happy to put this in Steve's lap if I thought it would be properly addressed and acted on.
It is NOT my intention to inhibit in any way the soaring world here in the USA. My sole intention is to save the life of the next tow pilot who finds his or herself in a sudden kiting situation while down low with a Schweizer hook and an ineffective release handle.
Walt Connelly