Towpilots ignoring turn signals

As a glider pilot and tuggie, please let me try to explain:

First, the radio is always preferable but, should communications fail,
then the signals take over.

As to the SSA/FAA difference on the glider requesting a turn signal -
use your head! This is not meant in a confrontational manner but
think: If the glider pulls your tail to the left, which way does your
nose point? To the right, right? Well, that's the direction the glider
wants to go. It's unfortunate that the FAA won't make such a simple
change to an erroneous figure in their document.

On 5/14/2015 6:57 AM, Don Johnstone wrote:
At 15:11 04 May 2015, C-FFKQ 42 wrote:
On Monday, 4 May 2015 10:37:09 UTC-4, Dan Marotta wrote:
...Because the FAA version is (gasp) wrong!



Dan
Think about it... if the glider flies out to the far right, it drags the
towplane's tail to the right, thus pointing the towplane nose to the
left... causing a left turn.

Hence, the FAA version is wrong.

Tom Knauff has been (unsuccessfully) trying to get the FAA to correct the
numerous errors in that book.
So let me get this straight, the SSA say one thing and the FAA say exactly
the opposite about a very questionable procedure. I can be forgiven for
thinking that perhaps there is something a bit wrong with your approach to
this subject. You need both your oars in the water if you are going to go
in the direction you intended. Have a thought for the poor tug pilot, his
reaction will depend on which book he has read. The best you can be
guaranteed to achieve is that if you fly out to one side the tug pilot will
change direction, not necessarily the direction you intended, very useful.


--
Dan Marotta