"W.J. (Bill) Dean (U.K.)." wrote in
message ...
| There is an article in the archives of Gliding &
Motorgliding International
| on Aerotow "Upset" Accidents by Chris Rollings which may
be found at:
|
http://www.glidingmagazine.com/ListF...Dtl.asp?id=327 .
| All tug pilots, and glider pilots who launch by aerotow,
should read this
| article.
|
| For the U.K. the B.G.A. give advice to be found in "Laws
and Rules for
| Glider Pilots" 14th edition June 2003 (cannot be read
on-line):
|
| Under "Recommended Practices":
|
| RP12. The minimum length of aerowtow rope recommended is
150ft. However,
| under special circumstances a short rope may be used.
The operators'
| attention is drawn to the following factors which may
cumulatively
| contribute to a hazardous situation:
|
| (a) Low experience of glider and/or tug pilot
| (b) Gliders fitted with C of G hook only
| (c) Glider's C of G towards the aft limit
| (d) Turbulent air in the take-off area
| (e) Rough ground in the take-off area
| (f) Significant cross-wind component.
|
| RP13. After releasing the cable, the glider should turn
away so that the
| tug aircraft pilot can see clearly that the glider is
free.
|
| Under "Operational Regulations":
|
| 4.16 The sum of tows made by the tug pilot and the
glider pilot, in their
| respective capacities, shall not be less than six.
|
| My own opinion is that if a forward aerotow hook is fitted
it should always
| be used for aerotowing. If the glider does not have an
aerotow hook, but
| can be fitted with one as a modification then this should
be done if it is
| to be launched by aerotow.
|
| It is quite normal for tug pilots to refuse to launch a
glider if the rope
| is on the aft hook when an aerotow hook is available.
|
| I cannot think of any circumstance when the use of the
forward hook rather
| than the aft one for aerotow launching could cause a
problem.
|
| The longer the rope the easier the flying is for the
glider pilot (except
| perhaps in violent rotor?). The 150 ft rope is a
compromise between safety
| and operational convenience which has been found to be
satisfactory in
| practice in the U.K.
|
| The above BGA recommendations and my opinions are based on
the assumption
| that the glider pilot has been properly trained and
checked for currency
| etc. The requirements etc. are to be found in the BGA
Instructors' Manual
| (which is not available to be read on-line).
|
| W.J. (Bill) Dean (U.K.).
| Remove "ic" to reply.

In Australia, all new gliders and any gliders which change
ownership must be fitted with a nose hook if aero tow is to
be used. C of A not valid otherwise.
John G.