http://www.hanggliding.org/viewtopic.php?t=27044
Here's a scary one for ya!
Jongo - 2012/09/04 12:33:39 UTC
Western Australia
What was the scary bit?
Fear levels tend to be directly proportional to IQ levels.
- Assholes with low IQs tend not to be shaken up when they're blown off tow for no reason 'cause they've never suffered consequences more serious than having to land and hook back up for a "free" relight.
- Pilots with high IQs realize that an abrupt undesired and/or uncommanded loss of the towline or towline tension can easily result in...
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8143/7462005802_bbc0ac66ac_o.jpg
...one getting his head smashed in when the situation just beforehand is just a bit less than optimal.
Many years ago when we were experimenting with car towing and releases...
Yeah, it's always a good idea to EXPERIMENT with releases while actually towing.
Dr. Trisa Tilletti - 2012/06
We could get into details of lab testing weak links and bridles, but this article is already getting long. That would be a good topic for an article in the future. Besides, with our backgrounds in formal research, you and I both know that lab tests may produce results with good internal validity, but are often weak in regard to external validity--meaning lab conditions cannot completely include all the factors and variability that exists in the big, real world.
You and I both know that lab tests may produce results with good internal validity, but are often weak in regard to external validity - meaning lab conditions cannot completely include all the factors and variability that exists in the big, real world.
For example... One could NEVER predict a release failure like THIS:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/aerotowrelease/8318769461/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/aerotowrelease/8318781297/
...by lab testing or just looking at the spinnaker shackle gate and thinking for half a second or so. The best way is to let somebody hook it up behind Bobby Bender Bailey, the best tow pilot in the business, preferably in New South Wales at world championship competition, have him lock the glider out low, and see what happens.
- If he lands OK you keep on using it 'cause it's just established a track record.
- If he goes into a vertical lockout and smashes his head in you also keep on using it - 'cause it's established a track record just as long - but you make everybody use it with a lighter weak link.
I experienced several early releases and weak link failures.
Yeah, I'd have guessed an asshole like you would have.
These did not bother me...
Of course they didn't. I'm really impressed with the courage of just about all tow pilots everywhere. That kinda stuff scares the crap outta me though so I decided it would be a lot better for me to stay home and play checkers.
...but on three occassions, again many years ago, my release failed to release ... these three events got my attention.
Wow. Sounds a bit wimpy to me.
It took...
http://ozreport.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=24846
Is this a joke ?
Davis Straub - 2011/08/26 14:04:52 UTC
We had six weaklink breaks in a row at Zapata this year.
...six weak link breaks in a row at Zapata last year to start getting Davis's attention. And that was after about a decade and a half's worth of witnessing all kinds of Local Rules precision weak link carnage at tow operations, flight parks, and competitions all over the world.
Then there was the unplanned release on my first aerotow while only about six feet off the ground and in prone.
In this case I had my release cord tied around my wrist, but the cord was too short.
See! You just can't predict a failure like this by lab testing, reading the 1990 Brad Anderson and Eric Aasletten fatality reports, or THINKING.
Hence, with the first bit of sideways movement the release popped.
http://www.chgpa.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=3600
Weak link question
Danny Brotto - 2008/11/04 12:49:44 UTC
I came out of the cart rolled and yawed to the right with the upwind wing flying and the downwind wing stalled. It was rather dramatic. If I had released or if the weak link had broken, the downwind wing would have further stalled and I would have cartwheeled into terra firma in an unpleasant fashion. I held on tight gaining airspeed until the downwind wing began flying, got in behind the tug, and continued the flight.
The problem with Australia isn't that it was founded by robbers, burglars, thieves, and pickpockets - the problem with Australia is that it was founded by just the robbers, burglars, thieves, and pickpockets stupid enough to get caught.
While I witnessed many lock outs while towing, including two aerotow lockouts...
Wild guess. They never had any tandem Cone of Safety training with Dr. Trisa Tilletti, right?
...fortunately I never experienced any lockouts myself.
Do let me know as soon as you do. I never tire of adding amusing anecdotes to my Kite Strings collection.
My understanding is that the recommended action in a lockout is to release before it gets too bad.
No. Your understanding is grossly deficient. The recommended action is to...
Quest Air Hang Gliding
ALWAYS RELEASE THE TOWLINE before there is a problem.
...always release the towline BEFORE there is a problem. If you wait until you HAVE a problem...
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.
...you're pretty much fucked.
However, all of the lockouts that I have witnessed resulted in the weak link breaking or the HG pounding into the deck.
Hell...
Joe Gregor - 2004/09
There is no evidence that the pilot made an attempt to release from tow prior to the weak link break, the gate was found closed on the Wallaby-style tow release.
Where's it carved in granite that you can't have both?
Car towing is obviously lots of fun, and great if you miss that thermal as you can simply tow up again.
Yeah. That so beats aerotowing where if you miss that thermal you just wait a minute until you get towed into a better one higher up.
However, I am always ready for the any of the events discussed above.
Of course you are. Lotsa people who are still alive and physically able to continue a flying career say that. The dozen or so REAL tow pilots - the ones with functional brains - know that's a load of absolute shit so they always stack the deck in their favor as tightly as possible by using the best equipment possible and assuming a worst case scenario EVERY TIME THEY HOOK UP TO ANYTHING.
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Moronic - like its author.
