Spoiler Signal

On Jul 24, 4:59*am, Ramy wrote:
On Jul 23, 11:15*pm, wrote:

Perhaps we should consider teaching that the first thought with a
sudden signal (fan, wag, rock, ...) should be check your
configuration, particularly the spoilers. *It should not take more
than a second or two. *If the signal really is to release, there would
be a very slight delay to pull the knob, but it would avoid some bad
consequences, and the the tow pilot still has the ability to dump the
glider.

This sounds like a good idea, especially giving that the tow pilot may
also give the wrong signal under stress.
There really should be only one signal as suggested in another thread,
which means something wrong, close spoilers or release! But in any
case, radio call should come first, than climb to safe altitude (if
possible) before giving any signal. Safe altitude should be much more
than 200 feet, more like pattern altitude since a glider with fully
opened spoilers will sink like a brick.

Ramy

I disagree. There should be an urgent, serious emergency type signal--
the wing rock, and a not-so-serious, advisory type signal such as the
rudder waggle. If you can't keep the two separated, then perhaps you
need to take up a different hobby where you're actions don't impact on
the lives of the tow pilot or yourself. I don't have the luxury of
getting the glider up to 1000 feet if I throw a valve at 200. It's
much more common for the glider to survive a release at 200 feet, than
a tow plane having a serious problem down there and having a good
outcome.