Spoiler Signal

Some thoughts for Tom Knauff and others...

Why do we have a wing-rock signal? *The tow pilot could just
release.


Response from Tom Knauff:

Well, let's see:

* Without a wing-rock signal all flight training manuals would have to
be re-written.
* The FAA would have to dream up some other item during flight tests.
* Glider pilots would have less to pay attention to during tow.
* Instructors would have less to teach - therefore earn less money.

* If the glider pilot insists on flying very much too high or too low
so I am running out of elevator control.
* Of course there are the less common items such as a less than
catestrophic emergency such as engine overheating when it would be
better if the falling-asleep glider pilot could assist by releasing.
* For those who ask questions such as this, it is a way for a tow
pilot to signal, "The lift is here, dummy!"
* When the glider pilot has jerked the towplane all over the sky by
inept flying, and the tow plane pilot has simply had enough of it.

Those are a few that come to mind.

Of course, if I have a real emergency, while piloting the towplane,
don't expect the courtesy of a "release now" signal. Your signal may
be the rope disengaging from the towplane.

Tom Knauff

How about a short mental check list for the wing rock? At least if
it's confused with a tail wag they will have checked the spoilers
first.

STAY

S - Spoilers?
T - Traffic? (A quick look before releasing)
A - Altitude for safe landing?
Y - You can release

Should take only about 3 seconds.