Are Weak Links really Necessary for Aero Tow?

1/4" poly rope is between 1000 and 1200 lbs breaking strength when new,
not 1/2" which is much too strong. Note that the breaking strength will
reduce with use, so you would not want to use 1/4" poly to tow a double
seater or motorglider with water ballast.

Stewart Kissel wrote:
There was a recent thread on this topic...a search
of the archives should turn it up. FWIW 1/2' poly
typically is 1,000lb strength new, which allows it
to be used here in the USA for most gliders without
weak links.

On Sat, 16 Sep 2006 20:32:50 UTC, "Doug Haluza"
wrote:

: 1/4" poly rope is between 1000 and 1200 lbs breaking strength when new,
: not 1/2" which is much too strong.

If by "poly" you mean polyester, those numbers seem a bit low. For
their prestreched stuff, Marlow quote average breaking loads of 2584lb
for 6mm and 7826lb for 12mm.

http://www.marlowropes.com/public/pa...fm?page_id=130

Ian
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