keel tow point
Yeah. Instructors at flying fields are all real experts on aerotowing on towing equipment and knots and stuff...Mike Bilyk - 2013/08/21 21:00:01 UTC
Crestline
Instead of asking a forum a serious question, I would ask my instructor at the flying field.
http://ozreport.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=24534
It's a wrap
Lauren Tjaden - 2011/07/29
Quest Air
I was flying a tandem this morning, and when I released (from the three point bridle) the line briefly released and then wrapped around the 'biner that we tow from. The sharp, strong pull almost immediately broke the weak link on the tug plane, which of course left me with the rope. I released the bridle from my shoulders (with the barrel release) and dropped the rope over the field without incident.
When I retrieved the rope and bridle after the flight, I was shocked at how profoundly the line had wrapped around the 'biner. I have heard about the line being able to wrap, but in thousands of aerotows I have never experienced it. I thought readers might be interested to see actually happens.
Secondly, although the weak link wasn't tremendously large, in retrospect in could have been smaller. Apparently the longer the weak link the greater its propensity to wrap. I also included a photo showing the size of the weak link. (I removed it from the 'biner after taking the photos.) Just a reminder for folks to keep their weak links on the stingy side.
Some of these assholes have been perfecting bent pin barrel releases for twenty years.
Nah. Please hurt/kill yourself listening to total vegetables like...Please don't hurt/kill yourself listening to a keyboard pilot.
...Lauren Eminently-Qualified-Tandem-Pilot Tjaden.Lauren Tjaden - 2011/08/01 02:01:06 UTC
Had the plane's weak link not broken, I would have been left towing from my shoulders, which would have been okay. I could have released from my barrel release on my shoulders or Paul could have given me the rope. Had all else failed, I could have used my hook knife.
For whomever asked about the function of a weak link, it is to release the glider and plane from each other when the tow forces become greater than desirable -- whether that is due to a lockout or a malfunction of equipment or whatever. This can save a glider, a tow pilot, or more often, a hang glider pilot who does not get off of tow when he or she gets too far out of whack.
I rarely break weak links -- in fact, I believe the last one was some two years ago, and I have never broken one on a tandem (probably because I am light and also because I change them whenever they show any signs of wear). They are a good thing to have, though!!
http://www.hanggliding.org/viewtopic.php?t=28290
Report about fatal accident at Quest Air Hang Gliding
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bRrpHNa68iY/UQ6Pv9gRZyI/AAAAAAAAjTg/Hc22bx5122Q/s2048/20943781_BG1.jpgLauren Tjaden - 2013/02/07 23:56:42 UTC
I am posting the report my husband, Paul Tjaden, just wrote about Zach Marzec's death at Quest. It is a great tragedy to lose someone so young and vital. We are sick about it, and our hearts go out to his friends, family and loved ones.
And if you ever feel like taking a hop to the International Space Station make sure you only go up on equipment designed, assembled, tested, and preflighted by astronaut instructors.
Total fuckin' douchebag.
P.S.
Figures.Michael Bilyk - 89463 - H4 - 2012/01/15 - Rob McKenzie - AT FL ST TFL 360 AWCL CL FSL RLF TUR XC - TAND INST
