Raunchy Day At The Ridge + Release Failure
By LMFP "TYPE" release do you mean something that doesn't lock up and disintegrate under some of the stress of a loop of 130 pound Greenspot - the way a Lookout ACTUAL release does?Andrew Stakhov - 2012/03/05 21:35:14 UTC
Toronto
I would think that's an advantage of a LMFP type release where your hand is through the release loop.
Oh. So you recognize this as a significant safety advantage.When my lockouts started I didn't have to think - just jerk the hand and I was off. I did it fairly early, as I knew I was past the point of no return.
But there's really not much of an issue with respect to controlling the glider...
...'cause you're pretty good at flying these things with one hand. But anyway...Gregg McNamee - 1996/12
PRIMARY RELEASE CRITERIA
To actuate the primary release the pilot does not have to give up any control of the glider. (Common sense tells us that the last thing we want to do in an emergency situation is give up control of the glider in order to terminate the tow.)
If your system requires you to take your hand off the control bar to actuate the release it is not suitable.
So are you asking yourself why, after over twenty years, a basetube mounted actuator going to a release on the keel that doesn't lock up and disintegrate under light loading isn't universal equipment at all aerotow operations? And never has been and, at the current rate of research and development...
http://ozreport.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=24534
It's a wrap
...never WILL BE?Paul Tjaden - 2011/07/30 15:33:54 UTC
Quest Air has been involved in perfecting aerotowing for nearly twenty years...
Yeah. Really interesting.It's interesting note regarding the protow being more stable on tow.
You should probably ask Holly Korzilius about her take on one versus two point towing stability first.I should try it.
Yeah. You should. It's what the pros use 'cause it's more stable. That's why they call it protow. They put the amateurs and beginners up on the unstable two point stuff until they've demonstrated that they're deserving of protow privileges.I know Terry flies a Sport 2 which many have said is twitchy on tow - I fly the same thing. I'll have a chance to compare that to my new T2C next month so I'll get a nice comparison on how both tow, and maybe try the protow while I'm at it.
Right Diev.Diev Hart - 2012/03/06 01:06:39 UTC
Santa CruzRight there (I think) is the main issue...some pilots think they can fix a bad thing and don't want to start over.I think some pilots may wait too long to release, causing the release to have a lot of pressure on it from the side.
-
Lightspeed 4, Super Sport 153, SL200, U2 160, Predator 158
FL, CL, FSL, AWCL, RLF, AT, TFL, TUR, XC, MNTR
It's just a bunch of stupid people who try to maintain control of the glider and just don't understand that the only time the Lockout Mountain Flight Park Release will work is before you really need it to.Wills Wing
...there are a few important principles to observe. The first is that you should not make any change in hand position unless you are flying at or very near trim speed. At speeds faster than trim, you will be holding the bar in in pitch against substantial force, and if you let go to move your hand the glider will pitch up and roll towards your remaining hand. The second is that while moving either hand, you have no control over the glider.
And if you just release instantly every time there's a bit of misalignment you'll never get into a situation in which your Lockout Release gets a lot of pressure on it from the side.Bill Bryden - 2000/02
Dennis Pagen informed me several years ago about an aerotow lockout that he experienced. One moment he was correcting a bit of alignment with the tug and the next moment he was nearly upside down. He was stunned at the rapidity. I have heard similar stories from two other aerotow pilots.
And you should just tow in smooth air so you never get into that bit of misalignment which requires you to instantly blow tow so you don't risk going nearly upside down the next moment and end up glued to the tug with an overloaded Lockout Release.
Which idiots signed your AT rating and appointed you as Mentor?
By the way...
...Casey...Casey Cox - 2012/03/05 21:15:05 UTC
I think some pilots may wait too long to release, causing the release to have a lot of pressure on it from the side.
It's PHYSICALLY IMPOSSIBLE to load ANY hang glider release ('cept for the Koch) from the SIDE - or from high or low. They're all harnessed, tied, or clipped to keels, carabiners, or harness tow loops and they're always perfectly aligned with the towline or bridle end connected to them. They're directly opposed to the tension that's pulling on them regardless of what the hell is happening with the glider.
THINK!!!