Letter to the FAA

This topic is complex, it probably is appropriate to break it down into the component issues. I'll limit this response to the Schweizer tow release mechanism used on many tow planes.

It is well understood if the glider gets too high during the aerotow, excessive loads on the towplane's Schweizer tow release can make it difficult and even impossible for the tow pilot to operate the release.

This can be safely simulated on the ground by simply connecting a tow rope to the release mechanism, then lifting up on the rope while someone operates the release mechanism from the towpane's cockpit.

The Tost release mechanism is not affected by vertical or horizontal loads imposed by a glider flying in an out of bounds towing position.

The Schweizer tow release, like all other mechanisms require routine maintenance and overhaul. One of the first questions to ask is when was your towplane's release mechanism (regardless of brand) last overhauled? My guess is few, if any towplane release mechanisms are ever overhauled.

Here at Ridge Soaring Gliderport, we faced this problem and contacted our local FAA office. They sent a team of inspectors.

The conversation ended with the FAA saying, "Now let's see what you want to do."

"You want to replace an FAA approved, Schweizer tow release with an approved Tost tow release."

The inspector finished with, "No FAA paperwork needed."

A simple mechanic's logbook entry was all that was necessary

Tom Knauff

Along with Mr. Knauff's experience, we should note that the Tost release installation is included in Chapter 8 of the FAA Advisory Circular AC 13.2B for standard repair and maintenance. With the AC in hand, I can't see why the FAA would give anyone any grief over installing it using standard practices.

The same chapter also shows inverted Schweizer hooks - which should be mandatory based on what I've learned in this thread.

Paul A.

Originally Posted by

This topic is complex, it probably is appropriate to break it down into the component issues. I'll limit this response to the Schweizer tow release mechanism used on many tow planes.

It is well understood if the glider gets too high during the aerotow, excessive loads on the towplane's Schweizer tow release can make it difficult and even impossible for the tow pilot to operate the release.

This can be safely simulated on the ground by simply connecting a tow rope to the release mechanism, then lifting up on the rope while someone operates the release mechanism from the towpane's cockpit.

The Tost release mechanism is not affected by vertical or horizontal loads imposed by a glider flying in an out of bounds towing position.

The Schweizer tow release, like all other mechanisms require routine maintenance and overhaul. One of the first questions to ask is when was your towplane's release mechanism (regardless of brand) last overhauled? My guess is few, if any towplane release mechanisms are ever overhauled.

Here at Ridge Soaring Gliderport, we faced this problem and contacted our local FAA office. They sent a team of inspectors.

The conversation ended with the FAA saying, "Now let's see what you want to do."

"You want to replace an FAA approved, Schweizer tow release with an approved Tost tow release."

The inspector finished with, "No FAA paperwork needed."

A simple mechanic's logbook entry was all that was necessary

Tom Knauff

Thank you for a cogent and succinct response, your actions display a proactive approach to the problem. Others would have me believe that it takes an act of Congress and six months of paperwork to change from Schweizer to Tost.

In your article on "Launch Emergencies" you state that the odds are 50/50 of something going bad on each launch. Either it will or it wont. Experiencing something go bad on a launch such as what happened to me will convince any tow pilot of the imperative need to have a positive and unfettered chance to release the glider. As you said, the Tost release mechanism is not affected by vertical or horizontal loads imposed by a glider flying in an out of bounds towing position. Clearly the Scnweizer hook is affected by such conditions rendering it useless.

In a low, severe kiting incident such as mine the tow pilot must react in an instant. Anything that delays that reaction can result in a catastrophy. Relying on the rope to break under such circumstances is not a good alternative to a positive release mechanism. Any commercial operator or club still operating with a Schweizer hook and/or a release handle not conveniently available to the pilot is playing Russian roulette with the life of their tow pilot.


Walt

The death toll doesn't match your hyperbole

In your article on "Launch Emergencies" you state that the odds are
50/50 of something going bad on each launch. Either it will or it
wont. Experiencing something go bad on a launch such as what happened to
me will convince any tow pilot of the imperative need to have a positive
and unfettered chance to release the glider. As you said, the Tost
release mechanism is not affected by vertical or horizontal loads
imposed by a glider flying in an out of bounds towing position. Clearly
the Scnweizer hook is affected by such conditions rendering it useless.


In a low, severe kiting incident such as mine the tow pilot must
react in an instant. Anything that delays that reaction can result in a
catastrophy. Relying on the rope to break under such circumstances is
not a good alternative to a positive release mechanism. Any commercial
operator or club still operating with a Schweizer hook and/or a release
handle not conveniently available to the pilot is playing Russian
roulette with the life of their tow pilot.


Walt




--
Walt Connelly

Originally Posted by

The death toll doesn't match your hyperbole

In your article on "Launch Emergencies" you state that the odds are
50/50 of something going bad on each launch. Either it will or it
wont. Experiencing something go bad on a launch such as what happened to
me will convince any tow pilot of the imperative need to have a positive
and unfettered chance to release the glider. As you said, the Tost
release mechanism is not affected by vertical or horizontal loads
imposed by a glider flying in an out of bounds towing position. Clearly
the Scnweizer hook is affected by such conditions rendering it useless.


In a low, severe kiting incident such as mine the tow pilot must
react in an instant. Anything that delays that reaction can result in a
catastrophy. Relying on the rope to break under such circumstances is
not a good alternative to a positive release mechanism. Any commercial
operator or club still operating with a Schweizer hook and/or a release
handle not conveniently available to the pilot is playing Russian
roulette with the life of their tow pilot.


Walt




--
Walt Connelly

"The death toll doesn't match my hyperbole?" How many deaths would it take to convince you GREGG? I was a second or two from being one of them but I am alive and letting it be known that this system does NOT work under severe circumstances as the FAA and SSA well know.

I have identified enough deaths clearly attributable to this malfunction to make my case. As I have noted time and time again the SSA and the FAA in their publications and Advisory Circulars clearly indicate (the SSA indication is in RED) that under certain conditions the release may not work. It is exactly under those conditions when it needs to work the most and if it doesn't the result can be fatal. I was there, within a second or two of hitting the ground when the rope broke, not something one can count on every time an idiot kites on you at low altitude.

My recommendations will address proper position of release handles, increasing mechanical advantage of these handles and at a minimum, inverting the Schweizer hook for which there is an STC or installing Tost releases on tow planes expected to tow gliders that exceed 1500 lbs maximum gross weight. It is my understanding that these glider exceed the limits of the Schweizer hook regardless of their installation.

I can listen to all the weak, anectdotal comments about how "a Schweizer hook saved my uncle Bill." That's what it's supposed to do but when it does what it's NOT supposed to do, FAIL, there is a problem that needs to be addressed. I can listen to "I have 30K hours flying and I always knew where the release was." I know where it was too, do you think I'm that big an idiot? Or "you are waiting too long to pull the release." Obviously this comment is from someone who has NOT experienced an instantaneous kiting situation. Not all kiting situations are slowly evolving ones that you can see begin in the mirror, they can be sudden and severe and any thing that delays the chances of release from the towplane need to be fixed. Need I go on?

Walt

If it was really 50-50 nobody would be flying. Did that statistic come
from MSNBC or Johnny Depp?

On 6/24/2017 9:44 PM, wrote:
The death toll doesn't match your hyperbole

In your article on "Launch Emergencies" you state that the odds are
50/50 of something going bad on each launch. Either it will or it
wont. Experiencing something go bad on a launch such as what happened to
me will convince any tow pilot of the imperative need to have a positive
and unfettered chance to release the glider. As you said, the Tost
release mechanism is not affected by vertical or horizontal loads
imposed by a glider flying in an out of bounds towing position. Clearly
the Scnweizer hook is affected by such conditions rendering it useless.


In a low, severe kiting incident such as mine the tow pilot must
react in an instant. Anything that delays that reaction can result in a
catastrophy. Relying on the rope to break under such circumstances is
not a good alternative to a positive release mechanism. Any commercial
operator or club still operating with a Schweizer hook and/or a release
handle not conveniently available to the pilot is playing Russian
roulette with the life of their tow pilot.


Walt




--
Walt Connelly

--
Dan, 5J

[quote=Dan Marotta;949727]If it was really 50-50 nobody would be flying. Did that statistic come
from MSNBC or Johnny Depp?

Actually it was in an article from Tom Knauff called "Launching Emergencies." I read everything I can find on the subject. I saw the humor, the tongue in cheek of what he said, did you not?

http://www.eglider.org/NewsArticles/...mergencies.htm

Walt

A wee bit disingenuous there Walt. Here is the quote 'The odds are 50/50 of something bad happening on each launch. Either it will or it won’t!' Article goes on to list 41 possible tow emergencies, The Schweizer hook is not named and might be a complicating factor in one of the 41. Doesn't help your case. Now of course there is a way to eliminate all 41, stay home. But you don't want safety, personal or for everyone else. You want to get recess canceled because you got a wedgie on the playground.
On Sunday, June 25, 2017 at 8:43:09 PM UTC-4, Walt Connelly wrote:
Dan Marotta;949727 Wrote:
If it was really 50-50 nobody would be flying. Did that statistic come

from MSNBC or Johnny Depp?

Actually it was in an article from Tom Knauff called "Launching
Emergencies." I read everything I can find on the subject. I saw the
humor, the tongue in cheek of what he said, did you not?

http://www.eglider.org/NewsArticles/...mergencies.htm

Walt




--
Walt Connelly

Originally Posted by

A wee bit disingenuous there Walt. Here is the quote 'The odds are 50/50 of something bad happening on each launch. Either it will or it won’t!' Article goes on to list 41 possible tow emergencies, The Schweizer hook is not named and might be a complicating factor in one of the 41. Doesn't help your case. Now of course there is a way to eliminate all 41, stay home. But you don't want safety, personal or for everyone else. You want to get recess canceled because you got a wedgie on the playground.
On Sunday, June 25, 2017 at 8:43:09 PM UTC-4, Walt Connelly wrote:
Dan Marotta;949727 Wrote:
If it was really 50-50 nobody would be flying. Did that statistic come

from MSNBC or Johnny Depp?

Actually it was in an article from Tom Knauff called "Launching
Emergencies." I read everything I can find on the subject. I saw the
humor, the tongue in cheek of what he said, did you not?

http://www.eglider.org/NewsArticles/...mergencies.htm

Walt




--
Walt Connelly

I believe number 13 was "glider gets too high." Mr Knoff appeared to be speaking from the standpoint of the glider and glider pilot but clearly he understands the effect of the glider on the tow plane. Just because he didn't specifically state the known problems with the Schweizer hook does not mean he is not aware.

Did you read his comments about changing from Schweizer to Tost and his interactions with the FAA? He, like a handful of others who have contacted me recognized a serious problem and delt with it.

Your posts do amuse me as I slurp my morning coffee and keeping me amused is a good thing.

Have a great day my friend.

Walt

Walt, your action of going to the FAA with this, is assuming that clubs and commercial operators are not interested in fixing this. As I said in a previous post, we have addressed this on two of our three towplanes. With the recent info that has surfaced in this thread, I will bring this to our board and we will try to get our L-19 converted to tost. I am sure if you could aid in bringing that info, or collecting anything that would help for the conversion, many if not all would make the same move. We did not because (I hope) we were operating on bad information that the FAA was going to stand in our way.

Do you feel that clubs and commercial operations would need to be forced to make this change, or do you think with your help, you could assist in this change? Personally I think many would do this, we have no interest in reducing safety for our towpilots. And I expect That would be true for all. Help them make the switch, it will be more effective, and quicker than government action.

RR