Slip to landing on PPG practical test

This discussion--over whether it's more dangerous to practice
something inherently risky or to learn by doing it the first
time--reminds me of checking out as an instructor with a Northeastern
U.S. glider club when I was in graduate school there back in the
1970s. The check pilot had me box the wake in the Blanik and then
asked me to put some slack in the tow rope and take it out gently. I
pulled up a little and then dove slightly to loosen the rope, then
waited for the towplane to climb up while I yawed the glider.

"Now let's put a *lot* of slack in the rope. I'll do the first one."

I watched, fascinated, as the check pilot took us up well over the
towplane, then moved out to the side and dove down until the towrope
disappeared *behind* the glider. We were still aft of the towplane but
I could look out to the side and see the towrope extending past us as
far as I could see.

The proper recovery technique was to stay above and to the side of the
towplane so that as the slack began to come out and you saw the loop
going by you from back to front, you could dive and turn in to match
speeds. The check pilot did this and it actually worked!

I made a couple of tries, the second of which wasn't as bad as the
first. I was *really* happy, though, when it was over. Turns out this
was a standard practical test item required by the local Designated
Examiner (and also high-time glider pilot).

I wouldn't want to be held to it because I can't remember the details,
but I recall hearing years later about a bad accident in that same
area caused by the towrope getting fouled in the elevator or aileron
during such a maneuver.

Some RAS readers must be familiar with this. Is this maneuver still
done? Were there ever any accidents arising from it?

And what's today's thinking about the wisdom of this kind of training?

Chip Bearden
ASW 24 "JB"

There are certainly some things like low altitude spins that are better
approached by teaching spin avoidance. The risks of training are far higher
than any perceived benefit.

Slips to a landing are a slightly different situation IMHO. They are highly
effective and appropriate in low performance/high drag gliders. The problem
is that nowadays, most pilots quickly move to glass.

When a pilot graduates to high performance gliders, different techniques are
required. Landing a 50:1 glider in a small field is a situation where the
spoiler/speed brakes had just better work.

Just what are the chances of dive brake failure? Frozen shut? Very few
glider pilots fly in icing conditions. Forget to connect them? I'd rather
practice assembly checklists and PCC's. If the training is to slip to a
position where the approach can be continued with spoilers, what scenario is
that training for? (Other than the checkride)

There even may be a danger in teaching slips for controlling the approach to
landing. A pilot may subconsciously feel he has a slip available if the
spoilers don't quite do the job and habitually fly high patterns in a
slippery glider until one day he finds that there are really no options
beyond the use of spoilers and pattern adjustments.

Note that I'm not suggesting that slips be removed from the training
syllabus, just that perhaps they should not be taught as a landing aid.
Slips to a landing is just so...20th century.

Bill Daniels


"Chip Bearden" wrote in message
om...
This discussion--over whether it's more dangerous to practice
something inherently risky or to learn by doing it the first
time--reminds me of checking out as an instructor with a Northeastern
U.S. glider club when I was in graduate school there back in the
1970s. The check pilot had me box the wake in the Blanik and then
asked me to put some slack in the tow rope and take it out gently. I
pulled up a little and then dove slightly to loosen the rope, then
waited for the towplane to climb up while I yawed the glider.

"Now let's put a *lot* of slack in the rope. I'll do the first one."

I watched, fascinated, as the check pilot took us up well over the
towplane, then moved out to the side and dove down until the towrope
disappeared *behind* the glider. We were still aft of the towplane but
I could look out to the side and see the towrope extending past us as
far as I could see.

The proper recovery technique was to stay above and to the side of the
towplane so that as the slack began to come out and you saw the loop
going by you from back to front, you could dive and turn in to match
speeds. The check pilot did this and it actually worked!

I made a couple of tries, the second of which wasn't as bad as the
first. I was *really* happy, though, when it was over. Turns out this
was a standard practical test item required by the local Designated
Examiner (and also high-time glider pilot).

I wouldn't want to be held to it because I can't remember the details,
but I recall hearing years later about a bad accident in that same
area caused by the towrope getting fouled in the elevator or aileron
during such a maneuver.

Some RAS readers must be familiar with this. Is this maneuver still
done? Were there ever any accidents arising from it?

And what's today's thinking about the wisdom of this kind of training?

Chip Bearden
ASW 24 "JB"