Releases

[Steve Davy]

I suspect it's because he's too dumb to use a cart and route a bridle under the base tube for surface towing.

[Steve Davy]

http://www.hanggliding.org/viewtopic.php?t=35264
Hook Knives Save Lives!!!!

Takeo Eda - 2017/04/20 05:37:16 UTC

A hook knife saved my brother from a malfunctioning tow release.

I noted 1083 views when Takeo77 posted that. Now with over a hundred more hits there's not a single reply asking about the nature of the incident or if it has been reported anywhere.

[Tad Eareckson]

http://www.hanggliding.org/viewtopic.php?t=11497
Aerotow release options?

Jack Axaopoulos - 2009/07/01 20:09:45 UTC

Im sure there are many instances, but I suspect you are about to commit this logically fallacy
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No_true_Scotsman

No device is perfect, including your release. A failure is simply a matter of time no matter how much you dont want to believe this.

http://www.hanggliding.org/viewtopic.php?t=16384
Tow Release Malfunction

Jim Rooney - 2010/03/26 20:54:43 UTC

Dude, quit bogarting that stuff
How's it go? Never say never.
Bent pin releases are indeed very very reliable. But 100%? Nope. It's exceptionally rare, but they jam. All mechanical things do.
If they were perfection, everyone would be using them. They're not. As with all things, they are a tradeoff.

[<BS>]

Pro Tow Barrel Release - Minimalist
http://instinct.pro/collections/instinct-made/products/pro-tow-barrel-release-minimalist

Here is an interesting story on why NOT to use your shoulder barrel release first if you are also towing from the keel. IF it snags on the tow rope, it would induce an instant tuck and you can never count on your weak-link breaking

You're gonna drive away customers with all that negativity. Try and keep it separated from the ad page, like this...
http://ozreport.com/goodies.php

V-Bridle line, extra long 750 lb Vectran line, $20.
This is used connect to the keel (works with the Pro tow setup). You can connect to the keel through a weak link to a line attached to the keel, or through a bicycle/cable/spinnaker release, which is attached to a line on the keel. Vectran is used because it doesn't melt when Vectran or Spectra runs through the loop at the end of the line (if you release using a barrel release).

Now Jim was not so dumb as to do this test without a backup plan...

But if any of you are, this is the bridle for you.

[Steve Davy]

I'm having a real hard time imagining how "your shoulder barrel release" could "snag on the tow rope".

[Tad Eareckson]

http://ozreport.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=24846
Is this a joke ?

Jim Rooney - 2011/08/26 17:34:33 UTC

It's tighter. It's not that much tighter.
One of the many weaklinks in the system breaks before the releases become unusable.

Have we considered straight pin releases?
Yes.
I'm mostly fine with them... as I've said many times in the past by the way.
Do be aware that they have their issues as well. In contrast to his holliness's assertions, they can jam. I've had one do so, so he can get stuffed, he's wrong. It has to do with how they're built, specifically, the line on the pilot end crunches up cuz it's too tight of a tolerance for the small barrel that's necessary to use with a straight pin.
My point is that everything has issues. Everything. Period.
Will I fly with a straight pin release? Sure.
Does it have the track record of the curved pins? No.
Does it have limitations that the curved pins don't? Yes, yes it does.
Do they matter? Depends on your situation.
Try fitting a straight pin release with anything but weaklink. (it doesn't quite fit the same) OH! Right. Just might be that we've thought of that eh?

Zack C - 2011/08/31 02:45:17 UTC

Jim Rooney - 2011/08/26 17:34:33 UTC

Try fitting a straight pin release with anything but weaklink.

Why would you want to? Shouldn't releases be protected by weak links anyway?

http://ozreport.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=31052
Poll on weaklinks

Jim Rooney - 2013/03/10 22:58:21 UTC

I'm not bothered by straight pin releases.
I do think the strong link guys gravitate to them due to the higher release tensions that strong links can encounter.

02-00820c
http://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7252/27169646315_9af9a62298_o.png


http://www.hanggliding.org/viewtopic.php?t=17404
Aerotow barrel release - straight or curved pin?

Holger Selover-Stephan - 2010/05/28 22:16:33 UTC
Portland, Oregon

I ordered and received a few barrel releases from Blue Sky. They have straight pins, not the curved ones I'm used to. Steve at Blue Sky tells me this:

...they [the curved pins] don't release with as little tension on them as the straight pins. Otherwise, there is no difference. It makes it hard to put just a rope on the barrel end, which encourages a weak link. Just a good idea. That's why we've been shifting that way, as are many other manufacturers of these releases.

Anybody got an opinion on this matter? Thanks!

http://www.hanggliding.org/viewtopic.php?t=17404
Aerotow barrel release - straight or curved pin?

Jim Rooney - 2010/05/31 01:53:13 UTC

BTW, Steve Wendt is exceptionally knowledgeable. Hell, he's the one that signed off my instructor rating.

[Tad Eareckson]

Jump to next post:
http://www.kitestrings.org/post10501.html#p10501

http://ozreport.com/21.189
Truck towing at Blue Sky

Davis Straub - 2017/09/21 16:22:50 UTC

You get an idea of how Coach runs his operation

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uBBZyjEhJSw

Yeah.

http://www.chgpa.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=7344
BlueSky, Saturday, September 16, 2017

Knut Ryerson- 2017/09/18 03:23:25 UTC
McLean, Virginia

Good turnout this weekend at Bluesky.
Flew on Saturday and had strong ambition, maybe going XC, but it got overdeveloped. Had two extended sleds, aerotowing.
Better today for the folks that truck towed.

01-05222
- 01 - chronological order
- -0 - minutes
- 52 - seconds
- 22 - frame (30 fps)

Good ol' Dragonfly.
01-05222
http://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4458/36669987093_7fef60a9a9_o.png

Two point. Must be a fag.
02-10909
http://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4472/36669986783_c023d4a3aa_o.png

Think your secondary bridle is long enough?
03-11015
http://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4368/23488042428_f9aa14e59e_o.png

Lockout Mountain Flight Park release. Note mechanism at apex. (Not designed for towing anything so make sure your skills are up to snuff.)
04-13214
http://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4379/36669985483_f3100019f9_o.png

Note bar position.
05-13311
http://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4473/36669985373_754d2de685_o.png

Loop actuator, left hand.
06-14307
http://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4367/23488041548_677633250f_o.png

About a quarter second off tow. Both hands in flying position on the control bar, modestly pulled in.
07-14716
http://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4351/36669985103_f96efcdc4d_o.png

08-14908
http://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4432/23488040998_73657e59a8_o.png

09-14927
http://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4492/23488040748_c21ed9b5a7_o.png

10-15723
http://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4511/36669984523_0c05211e96_o.png

11-20923
http://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4492/36669984313_b75a6482e4_o.png

12-21819
http://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4375/37292351586_5a0b0fd3f0_o.png

13-22502
http://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4492/36630075264_7805cf030e_o.png

Nice foot landing in the violent thermal turbulence and Manquin narrow dry riverbed with large rocks strewn all over the place.
14-22715
http://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4447/37292350936_08e5699a8d_o.png

Second flight.
15-23909
http://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4423/37292350656_c704d27323_o.png

Note open Lockout Release at apex.
16-30110
http://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4489/36630074794_21015ff4af_o.png

17-31106
http://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4384/37292350126_ea626315b4_o.png

18-31403
http://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4370/36630074574_7efefdcb3a_o.png

19-31612
http://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4361/37292349516_056d7c2a63_o.png

20-31706
http://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4432/37339457211_470ec41baf_o.png


Jump to top:
http://www.kitestrings.org/post10500.html#p10500

[Tad Eareckson]

http://ozreport.com/21.189
Truck towing at Blue Sky

Davis Straub - 2017/09/21 16:22:50 UTC

You get an idea of how Coach runs his operation

08-14908
http://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4432/23488040998_73657e59a8_o.png

Yeah.

http://ozreport.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=24846
Is this a joke ?

Jim Rooney - 2011/08/26 17:34:33 UTC

Zach,
We're not in disagreement. In fact, you're reiterating all kinds of stuff that I try to get across to people all the time.

As I said, I've been through this a million freaking times.
Which is ok.
I don't mind clarifying it for people.

What I do mind is that when there is disagreement, it is generally NOT me that is wrong. Yet people persist in telling me bla bla bla. I don't care if people disagree with me... cuz I know they're wrong. It makes me sad.

Zack C - 2011/08/26 12:39:26 UTC

The heart of the disagreement, if there is one, is that for those that see the sole purpose of the weak link as preventing structural failure of the glider...

Which is not me.
Those people can get stuffed... they're wrong.

Remember, a weak link improves safety.
Say it over and over and over in your head until it sinks in.
And take that straw man argument and burn it please.

Do NOT skip this little bit...

Davis Straub - 2011/08/26 14:04:52 UTC

pilots were asked to tell the tug pilot if they were doing that

See, Russel knows what's up.
He knows that you're changing the equation and because of this, you need to ask the tug pilot.
Some people I'll tow like this. Some I won't. Most that do this are the type I won't. At the end of the day, it's my call, not yours.

Zack C - 2011/08/26 16:52:43 UTC

Except the tug weak link will almost assuredly break first.

No, actually it doesn't.
In theory it does.
In practice, it's not so cut and dry.
Sometimes it goes, sometimes the tug's goes.

Another gotcha...try pulling a curved pin barrel release loaded to 200 lbs.

I have.
It's tighter. It's not that much tighter.
One of the many weaklinks in the system breaks before the releases become unusable.

Have we considered straight pin releases?
Yes.
I'm mostly fine with them... as I've said many times in the past by the way.
Do be aware that they have their issues as well. In contrast to his holliness's assertions, they can jam. I've had one do so, so he can get stuffed, he's wrong. It has to do with how they're built, specifically, the line on the pilot end crunches up cuz it's too tight of a tolerance for the small barrel that's necessary to use with a straight pin.
My point is that everything has issues. Everything. Period.
Will I fly with a straight pin release? Sure.
Does it have the track record of the curved pins? No.
Does it have limitations that the curved pins don't? Yes, yes it does.
Do they matter? Depends on your situation.
Try fitting a straight pin release with anything but weaklink. (it doesn't quite fit the same) OH! Right. Just might be that we've thought of that eh?

08-14908c


http://www.chgpa.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=2467
weak links

Jim Rooney - 2007/07/19 14:50:52 UTC

And yes, get behind me with a "strong link" and I will not tow you.

http://ozreport.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=31052
Poll on weaklinks

Davis Straub - 2013/03/06 18:29:05 UTC

You know, after all this discussion I'm now convinced that it is a very good idea to treat the weaklink as a release, that that is exactly what we do when we have a weaklink on one side of a pro tow bridle. That that is exactly what has happened to me in a number of situations and that the whole business about a weaklink only for the glider not breaking isn't really the case nor a good idea for hang gliding.

I'm happy to have a relatively weak weaklink, and have never had a serious problem with the Greenspot 130, just an inconvenience now and then.

Jim Rooney - 2013/03/10 22:58:21 UTC

Jim has inferred... No, you have assumed.
Or better, you're not listenin , you're looking for stuff to argue about.
Lacking stuff to argue with, you're making stuff up and trying to fit me into your bullshit narrative.

Davis... Yup.
I'm not bothered by straight pin releases.
I do think the strong link guys gravitate to them due to the higher release tensions that strong links can encounter.

http://www.hanggliding.org/viewtopic.php?t=17404
Aerotow barrel release - straight or curved pin?

Jim Rooney - 2010/05/31 01:53:13 UTC

BTW, Steve Wendt is exceptionally knowledgeable. Hell, he's the one that signed off my instructor rating.

08-19
http://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5277/30076449505_1f6ed2f804_o.png


Good ol' Coach.

[Tad Eareckson]

Julia Kucherenko

- 2009/01/05
http://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4693/24233545007_1d4d72d1c3_o.png

- 2011/05/11

- 2011/05/25
http://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5591/13921307900_11ea72a69f_o.png

03-02805

[Steve Davy]

In that first photo it looks like she has a weak link installed on the left side of her bridle. If that is the case then that is the dumbest thing that I have ever seen related to hang gliding.