Video

[Zack C]

I got lazy with the video above...I've replaced it with an edited version cutting out the boring stuff and with a slow-mo/zoomed replay.

Anyway, here's another one illustrating the issues three-string releases can have when there's no tension on the tow line. I don't know why it's only a problem sometimes. It's easy to release with both hands at any rate.

Also, we were discussing wing warping on US Hawks a while back...the camera angle does a real nice job of showing it. Shortly after releasing I weight shift left to bank and then shift right to level out. You can see the sail billow as I shift my weight. Looks very much like control surfaces! I want to make a better video of this some time.

Password = 'red'.
http://vimeo.com/38260911


Zack

[Zack C]

I took a trip to Lookout recently and flew a friend's rigid. I used his release, which was an old Lookout spinnaker type. He hadn't used it in six months or so. It seemed a little stiff to release on the ground but still actuated on my first attempt. Under tension, however, it took several pulls. He flew the glider after me...I warned him about it but he flew with it anyway and had similar trouble. I asked him if rust could be the issue and he said he oiled it recently.

Password = 'red'.
http://vimeo.com/40757858

It's funny watching the control frame shake.

Zack

[Tad Eareckson]

One point aerotow on high performance glider.

Options...

Lockout Release
- both hands on the basetube potential
- may necessitate use of hand off backup release
- known to have locked up under normal to light tow tension to point at which pilot is dead many times over for purpose of exercise
- beaucoup crap in airflow for entire flight

barrel releases
- hand (either) MUST come off basetube
- high capacity
- hundred percent reliability
- minimal drag penalty during climb and before stowage
- zero drag penalty after stowage

Oh well, the Lockout Release made for a much more entertaining video - but next time you might wanna use a stunt double. If that sounds like a plan lemme know next time and I'll put together a list of suitable candidates.

[Zack C]

I went with my friend's recommendation ('only one new thing at a time'), and I don't think he has yet towed the glider one point. I was nervous enough about flying it and didn't want any surprises (got one anyway...).

I didn't try, but it may be possible to fly those things with one hand, in which case taking a hand off the basetube wouldn't be a big deal...

Zack

[Tad Eareckson]

I went with my friend's...

Friend. The second most dangerous thing you can have in hang gliding.

...recommendation...

The first.

...'only one new thing at a time'...

I so do hate that one.
It doesn't exist in REAL aviation. It's just something that hang gliding pulled out of its ass to sound responsible while being the opposite and crippling innovation.
You (the general you) have a shit primary release, primary weak link, primary bridle, secondary bridle, secondary weak link, secondary bridle, wheels, helmet, parachute container, and launch dolly. You don't replace that shit over the course of ten successive flights.
Name a crash which resulted because of somebody changing more than one thing at a time.
We're crashing and killing people left and right 'cause NOBODY EVER CHANGES *ANYTHING*.

...and I don't think he has yet towed the glider one point.

Reboot. I thought you WERE towing it one point. Looked like the spinnaker shackle was back down at your shoulders.

I was nervous enough about flying it and didn't want any surprises (got one anyway...).

That was a surprise?

http://vimeo.com/17472603

Release difficulties LMFP 11/27/2010
password - red

4:00
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pC1yrdDV4sI


I'm always surprised when one of Matt's pieces of shit DOESN'T lock up.

http://vimeo.com/16572582

B FTHI @ Barker 11/6/2010
password - red
2-112
http://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7600/28811055456_925c8abb66_o.png


I'm always surprised when anyone who skips a hook-in check runs off the ramp ATTACHED to his glider.

I didn't try, but it may be possible to fly those things with one hand, in which case taking a hand off the basetube wouldn't be a big deal...

Taking a hand off the basetube is only a big deal on the rarest of occasions but...
- You should'we swapped in your Joe release or had a spare in the bag for just such occasions.
- It's REAL cheap and easy to blow one point with a string in your teeth.
With the carabiner as your upper anchor you're only towing 1.5 point anyway. Use the barrels next time. We already have enough good videos of Lookout equipment jamming - and it's nothing you can't read in the owner's manual anyway.

[Zack C]

I thought you WERE towing it one point. Looked like the spinnaker shackle was back down at your shoulders.

No, there was a lot of excess cable because the control frame is small. Had I been towing one point, I'd have certainly used the barrels.

Zack

[deltaman]

Tad, could you explain me that, please.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmlV6gbJIhc

[Tad Eareckson]

I don't think I can say anything about it that you don't already know.

Here's the other view of that launch:

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


My best guess is a combination of coming off the cart too soon and getting dumped by a lull.

Note that the title of this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TaVg_bzK3Aw


is not "Why we love Davis Links". Note that there never has been nor will be a video titled "Why we love Davis Links". But at Davis competitions pilots are punished for trying to get on a cart with anything heavier than a Davis Link and rewarded for flying without wheels.

[deltaman]

I'm still unconfortable with this video cause that's not Davis first time.
Without wheels:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/psucvollibre/6221960525/

and I did it too in tandem with a student :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82np7mLBY9s


I rather thought something about the trim of a 2 points AT and a reflex to pull the bar as in 1 point..
We know that a 2 points trim give us a higher speed to take off: If the glider could leave the cart just after stall speed, it would by pushing the bar a little against the trim ..or sink on the ground like we can see on vids and pic.. ?

AoA ?

[Tad Eareckson]

I'm still unconfortable with this video cause that's not Davis first time.

And we can only hope that it won't be his last time.

That 2004/08/02 crash is in NO WAY relevant to the other incidents. That cart had a castering problem, they KNEW it had castering problem, they continued using it anyway - in conjunction with a shit release system, and a nice glider got chewed up without doing enough damage to Davis to really make it worthwhile.

Without wheels...

The glider HAS wheels - those little built in Wills Wing jobs like Zack has on his Sport 2 - but that issue was totally irrelevant because the basetube never came anywhere close to clearing the cart anyway.

...and I did it too in tandem with a student...

Looks like you guys just forced the glider off the cart too soon. It doesn't appear that the keel has lifted off the support at all when the decision is executed.

I always wanted to come off the cart with adequate speed but didn't want to take it down the runway any farther than necessary. When I felt the speed was about right I very gradually eased the nose up and very gradually separated from the cart. Never had any problems.

We know that a 2 points trim give us a higher speed to take off...

It makes it EASIER to come off at a higher speed.

If the glider could leave the cart just after stall speed, it would by pushing the bar a little against the trim ..or sink on the ground...

If the glider comes off the cart slow, yes, it will do what it would if it were slow at a thousand feet.

...like we can see on vids and pic.. ?

On the vids we're seeing gliders nosed UP by pilots. In the pics we're seeing the bar being stuffed by the cart. Opposite action and in the extreme.

AoA ?

Same as airspeed.