Video of using up ALL of the runway on a wet aero tow

This was my first time taking off with a decent amount of water (30
gallons) in my 27B at Cedar Valley, Utah. We normally take off to the
south with a longer runway but the winds from a storm shifted the
winds to the northeast (quartering crosswind). I told the tow pilot to
hold the 182 on the ground to build up as much speed as possible. He
did what I asked!

Wasn't even close to being a problem - we had at least 5 feet cleared
over the ditch at the end of the runway. All kidding aside, had
there been an issue of not being able to take off at the end either
one of us could have released the rope causing him to take off and me
to land in the field straight ahead so it wasn't that big of a deal
but is exciting to watch.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBsjSt2Mjc4

Thanks for watching and commenting.
Bruno - B4

On Jun 3, 10:21*am, Bruno wrote:
This was my first time taking off with a decent amount of water (30
gallons) in my 27B at Cedar Valley, Utah. We normally take off to the
south with a longer runway but the winds from a storm shifted the
winds to the northeast (quartering crosswind). I told the tow pilot to
hold the 182 on the ground to build up as much speed as possible. *He
did what I asked!

Wasn't even close to being a problem - we had at least 5 feet cleared
over the ditch at the end of the runway. All kidding aside, had
there been an issue of not being able to take off at the end either
one of us could have released the rope causing him to take off and me
to land in the field straight ahead so it wasn't that big of a deal
but is exciting to watch.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBsjSt2Mjc4

Thanks for watching and commenting.
Bruno - B4

Good takeoff with no tendency to drop a wing, great wing runner. Any
idea what the airspeed was when the c182 finally broke ground? What
was the tow speed once over the fence?

Noting the water hitting the windshield I thought it may have been
starting to rain, which could mean taking off with a down draft. But
then I saw what looked like water being kicked up off the runway by
the tow?

T

One thing I see wrong Bruno is asking the tow plane to stay on the
ground as long as possible. It would be better if he had lifted off
and stayed 2 to 3 feet AGL. The tow plane would have accelerated much
faster. No ground resistance from the wheels. Of course, if the tow
plane accelerated faster, you would also. That's from experience in
the tow plane.

Charlie

On Jun 3, 8:05*pm, T wrote:
On Jun 3, 10:21*am, Bruno wrote:









This was my first time taking off with a decent amount of water (30
gallons) in my 27B at Cedar Valley, Utah. We normally take off to the
south with a longer runway but the winds from a storm shifted the
winds to the northeast (quartering crosswind). I told the tow pilot to
hold the 182 on the ground to build up as much speed as possible. *He
did what I asked!

Wasn't even close to being a problem - we had at least 5 feet cleared
over the ditch at the end of the runway. All kidding aside, had
there been an issue of not being able to take off at the end either
one of us could have released the rope causing him to take off and me
to land in the field straight ahead so it wasn't that big of a deal
but is exciting to watch.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBsjSt2Mjc4

Thanks for watching and commenting.
Bruno - B4

Good takeoff with no tendency to drop a wing, great wing runner. Any
idea what the airspeed was when the c182 finally broke ground? What
was the tow speed once over the fence?

Noting the water hitting the windshield I thought it may have been
starting to rain, which could mean taking off with a down draft. But
then I saw what looked like water being kicked up off the runway by
the tow?

T

I broke ground at 48 knots and the tow plane broke ground at 62 knots
per my instruments. We were probably 65 knots over the fence.

Yes, it had just rained a little bit and was still sprinkling just a
bit. They were not perfect conditions but was not gusty. When I was
getting the glider ready the wind was stronger down the runway. Once
I was ready for takeoff it had calmed a bit and was more cross. This
made the takeoff roll longer unfortunately than what I thought it
would be. Not happy cutting it so close. Lesson learned.

Thanks for watching,
Bruno - B4

On Jun 3, 8:22*pm, cfinn wrote:
One thing I see wrong Bruno is asking the tow plane to stay on the
ground as long as possible. It would be better if he had lifted off
and stayed 2 to 3 feet AGL. The tow plane would have accelerated much
faster. No ground resistance from the wheels. Of course, if the tow
plane accelerated faster, you would also. That's from experience in
the tow plane.

Charlie

You know what Charlie - you are absolutely correct! I completely
forgot about hearing that technique in the past. That said, this tow
pilot was pretty green and hasn't towed much so I was really worried
about him ballooning up on takeoff. My good friend TT had that happen
to him at Moriarty and he was barely able to release and make the ship
come to a stop before the end of the runway. 20 seconds later in this
video after I cut it the tow plane slowed to 55 knots indicated for
about 10 seconds and it got pretty scary with the glider shuddering
and feeling like it was about to depart at any second 200 feet above
the ground. Speed is so crucial on a heavy wet aero tow! Thanks for
the advice and we will do that next tow.

Regards,
Bruno - B4

You know what Charlie - you are absolutely correct! I completely
forgot about hearing that technique in the past. *That said, this tow
pilot was pretty green and hasn't towed much so I was really worried
about him ballooning up on takeoff. *My good friend TT had that happen
to him at Moriarty and he was barely able to release and make the ship
come to a stop before the end of the runway. *20 seconds later in this
video after I cut it the tow plane slowed to 55 knots indicated for
about 10 seconds and it got pretty scary with the glider shuddering
and feeling like it was about to depart at any second 200 feet above
the ground. *Speed is so crucial on a heavy wet aero tow! *Thanks for
the advice and we will do that next tow.

Regards,
Bruno - B4

A few years ago, I was towing a water heavy ship during the region V
contest at Cordelle. I was airborne in about 2,000 feet. I was
indicating around 85 knots, when he finally lifted off about 4,500
feet down a 5,000 runway with tress at the end. Much longer and he
would have been by himself. I wasn't too keen on flying into the trees
at 3 feet AGL! Must say, it can get hot in southern GA, during the
contest months. Last year I was flying my HP. The actual temperature
was 104.

Charlie

On Sunday, June 3, 2012 10:21:17 AM UTC-7, Bruno wrote:
This was my first time taking off with a decent amount of water (30
gallons) in my 27B at Cedar Valley, Utah. We normally take off to the
south with a longer runway but the winds from a storm shifted the
winds to the northeast (quartering crosswind). I told the tow pilot to
hold the 182 on the ground to build up as much speed as possible. He
did what I asked!

Wasn't even close to being a problem - we had at least 5 feet cleared
over the ditch at the end of the runway. All kidding aside, had
there been an issue of not being able to take off at the end either
one of us could have released the rope causing him to take off and me
to land in the field straight ahead so it wasn't that big of a deal
but is exciting to watch.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBsjSt2Mjc4

Thanks for watching and commenting.
Bruno - B4

Nothing can match the excitement of a fully loaded ASW22 going off the end of the runway at Ely with 5ft clearance on a 95f day.

Followed by the turn over middle of Ely town so low folks could wave up at you as you slosh by.

Cheers

Al

Yes, it had just rained a little bit and was still sprinkling just a
bit. *They were not perfect conditions but was not gusty. *When I was
getting the glider ready the wind was stronger down the runway. *Once
I was ready for takeoff it had calmed a bit and was more cross.

Today's airfoils are less sensitive to rain/bugs than the older
sections. But I would still think long and hard before launching with
raindrops on the wing...especially if it were still sprinkling
rain...especially heavy...especially with what could have been a
marginal towplane...especially with a green towpilot...especially on
what was apparently a shorter, unpaved strip...especially with a
crosswind instead of a headwind...especially on a hot day...especially
if it were my first time carrying a lot of water.

Maybe I'm just getting old and overly cautious. I have plenty of
"there I was at 100 ft. over the trees with the stick in my lap
watching the towplane climbing away from me" stories. I don't need any
more.

Chip Bearden
ASW 24 "JB"
U.S.A.

On Jun 11, 10:34*pm, Chip Bearden wrote:
Yes, it had just rained a little bit and was still sprinkling just a
bit. *They were not perfect conditions but was not gusty. *When I was
getting the glider ready the wind was stronger down the runway. *Once
I was ready for takeoff it had calmed a bit and was more cross.

Today's airfoils are less sensitive to rain/bugs than the older
sections. But I would still think long and hard before launching with
raindrops on the wing...especially if it were still sprinkling
rain...especially heavy...especially with what could have been a
marginal towplane...especially with a green towpilot...especially on
what was apparently a shorter, unpaved strip...especially with a
crosswind instead of a headwind...especially on a hot day...especially
if it were my first time carrying a lot of water.

Maybe I'm just getting old and overly cautious. I have plenty of
"there I was at 100 ft. over the trees with the stick in my lap
watching the towplane climbing away from me" stories. I don't need any
more.

Chip Bearden
ASW 24 "JB"
U.S.A.

Chip,
I agree with you 100%. Unfortunately I didn't think of all of these
things you pointed out until after the takeoff. Fortunately it worked
out in this instance. I definitely have learned a lot from this one
tow and from the helpful comments, including yours, that have
followed. This is one of the reasons why I love making these videos
showing both good and bad, land outs and successes. Post-flight igc
review, video analysis and 3rd party feedback are all quite helpful
for improving your own skills and safety once you develop a thicker
skin and know that they might not always be flattering. Thanks for
the comments.

Bruno - B4

Bruno,

Great video as usual. I have some hours on in the 27 its a beautiful
glider.

My only comment is that I close the brakes immediately the tug is rolling
and there is no risk of running over the rope and keep my hand very close
to the release in case of a wing drop, especially with water and especially
with a X wind!

Believe me its amazing how fast it can start to go round if the wing goes
down and digs in.

This experience cost me no more than a bit of pride but had i had to move
my hand from brakes to release it might have been different.

Looking forward to the next Vid!

Mike