Rudder waggle

In article , J a c k
writes
Marc Ramsey wrote:


You can complain about training if you like,
but I bet the majority of US pilots will
nonetheless release immediately if you waggle
the rudder at them....


In which case complaints about training and/or preparation on the part
of the glider pilot are definitely in order. When did we start blaming
tow pilots for glider pilots' mistakes?

It sounds like the best way to reduce the number of rudder-signal
miscues would be to include them in the pre-flight briefing, and not to
refrain from using them simply because we have lost confidence in our
own training establishment.


Jack


At our club the then chief flying instructor asked me, as tuggie, to do
a rudder waggle when he was doing annual revalidations. Three out of the
four pilots doing their annual checks released. That was two years ago.

These days, when you do your annual, you are asked about the signals
before you go.

One of the signals is that the glider "flies out to the left as far as
possible and rocks the wings laterally" The meaning is that the glider
cant let the rope go.

What happens then? We never practice descending on tow. I asked our
resident instructor, he said the tug should continue climbing and
position the glider in a good place to make a safe landing.

I wonder what other people do in the event that the glider cant release?

--
Mike Lindsay

The book says that we are going to land on tow (and we practize for that).

But then, I haven't heared of such a case in the last 27 years...

Bert

"Mike Lindsay" wrote in message
...

I wonder what other people do in the event that the glider cant release?

--
Mike Lindsay

ahh.. I think the tow pilot will release his end.. with you over head the
airport and in a position taht if the rope back releases it will not harm
anything on the ground
if neither can release.. then consider landing on tow
BT

"Bert Willing" wrote in message
...
The book says that we are going to land on tow (and we practize for that).

But then, I haven't heared of such a case in the last 27 years...

Bert

"Mike Lindsay" wrote in message
...

I wonder what other people do in the event that the glider cant release?

--
Mike Lindsay

On Nov 19, 9:27 am, Mike Lindsay wrote:
snip
At our club the then chief flying instructor asked me, as tuggie, to do
a rudder waggle when he was doing annual revalidations. Three out of the
four pilots doing their annual checks released. That was two years ago.

These days, when you do your annual, you are asked about the signals
before you go.

One of the signals is that the glider "flies out to the left as far as
possible and rocks the wings laterally" The meaning is that the glider
cant let the rope go.

What happens then?

In my recent experience of pracsing giving the signal, absolutely
nothing most of the time. The same when when the instructor flew out
to the left and gave the signal.


We never practice descending on tow.

I have. I was surprised how easy it was.


I asked our
resident instructor, he said the tug should continue climbing and
position the glider in a good place to make a safe landing.

I wonder what other people do in the event that the glider cant release?

I was told that the tug takes you back to where you can safely get
back to the field (quite possibly descending en-route), and releases
you. You land normally but using a reference point well inside the
field because of the tow rope dangling from the glider.

I wonder what other people do in the event that the glider cant release?
Mike Lindsay

In France, they taught us to open the airbrakes full, and then go
below the tow plane wake. Sit there until the tow plane brings you
back to the runway. Works like a charm, and is actually part of the
curriculum to get your license over there....

Richard
Phoenix, AZ