How reliably do CG hooks disconnect when the angle of the ropeexceeds the autorelease angle

Originally Posted by Dan Marotta

I was taught that, if unable to release, the glider should circle the
winch rather than slingshot towards the ground.Â* And why wouldn't the
driver cut the cable as soon as the glider overflew the winch and
started down?Â* Training...

On 6/8/2020 5:59 PM, Ventus_a wrote:
he winch driver didn't cut the cable and the winch was getting
destabilised as the glider went through about 45 degress down towards
the ground behind the winch. Going through about 400' with lots of
frantic pulling on the release and the stick the cable finally let go
and the day was saved.. Some badly shaken people and the hook
installation got a good working over to ensure that it couldn't happen
again

Colin

--
Dan, 5J

Hi Dan

The winch driver was an older gentleman and he bailed out of the winch. I suspect lack of familiarity with the cutting system and a sense of his own vulnerability prevailed. Since then a more robust training system is in place for winch drivers