Releases
- Tad Eareckson
- Posts: 9161
- Joined: 2010/11/25 03:48:55 UTC
Re: Releases
Here's a two stage system that Aleksey developed that we've discussed via personal message:
http://content.foto.my.mail.ru/mail/birukobu/186/h-192.jpg
I had trouble understanding it at first because the 1024 width images as displayed in the Personal Messages window had a lot of right side chopped off and my brain was too fried at the time to think to open them in new windows and see what was going on. I've loaded them all into Flickr so I can display them in 800 width here.
So the carabiner is clipped to the tow ring (quick link) and the barrel release is routed over the basetube and the long green line is routed through vinyl tubing and under the basetube.
The Stage One / barrel release engages the approximately eighth inch leechline loop - which functions as the primary tow ring during the first stage of the climb.
Around the time the "over" routing is becoming problematic the barrel is pulled (forward) and the green towline extension is tensioned and the thimble in the downwind eye functions as the primary tow ring.
The bridle runs between the "tooth-lock" on the left (or right) shoulder and the wrapped bridle emergency / hitch pin release on the right (or left) shoulder.
Blow the tooth-lock when you've topped out and the bridle feeds through the leechline loop and thimble and you, the tooth-lock, bridle, and hitch pin release go on your merry way, everything else other than the leechline loop - which you've just lost - goes down on the end of the towline.
In a low level lockout emergency while you're still Stage One you blow the tooth-lock and everything happens the same except you don't lose the loop.
These are older photos and the extension line is now spliced rather than knotted.
http://content.foto.my.mail.ru/mail/birukobu/186/h-191.jpg
http://content.foto.my.mail.ru/mail/birukobu/186/h-190.jpg
http://content.foto.my.mail.ru/mail/birukobu/186/h-189.jpg
http://content.foto.my.mail.ru/mail/birukobu/186/h-188.jpg
http://content.foto.my.mail.ru/mail/birukobu/186/h-193.jpg
http://content.foto.my.mail.ru/mail/birukobu/186/h-194.jpg
http://content.foto.my.mail.ru/mail/birukobu/186/h-187.jpg
https://vk.com/video?z=video7287988_169097545%2Falbum7287988
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L42TjOX1DJM
Comments...
Ingenious concept but the execution could use some work.
The carabiner could be replaced with a quick link (like what's being used for the tow ring. That would make hookup a bit less convenient but the quick link would be cheaper, more durable, and aerodynamically cleaner.
The barrel release should be straight pin:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/aerotowrelease/8311348069/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/aerotowrelease/8312399698/
ALL barrel releases should be straight pin. WAY more strength and mechanical advantage. In this application, though, it's not a big deal because it's something you'd never use in an emergency anyway.
It looks like you're using perlon/nylon for the lower towline extension and hitch pin release. All materials which transmit tension - tow or actuation - should be low stretch. Elastic materials make the tow harder to control and less efficient and present recoil hazards. Mike Robertson was on the boat and had an eye taken out by a tow ring when a weak link on a normally climbing glider increased the safety of the towing operation and the polypro towline recoiled. Not a big deal here but low stretch is ALWAYS better.
That leechline loop is problematic. It's going to abrade the bridle a little during Stage One and if you need to effect an emergency release during Stage One it's going to be squeezing the bridle and there may be a possibility of it preventing the bridle from clearing. Shane Smith was killed in Phoenix on 2011/01/15 because of this issue. You could substitute a steel hook extending from a line going to your Stage One release and disengage and pocket it during Stage Two. Plus I'm not wild about the idea of dropping a piece of non biodegradable material onto the landscape for every tow.
A sailmaker's thimble:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/aerotowrelease/8313955230/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/aerotowrelease/8312907083/
is a better piece of hardware to install in the downwind eye of the towline extension. There's ZERO possibility of it causing a snag as a line is feeding through. It's designed exactly for that function.
The Stage Two release should be extended forward to minimize the length of bridle that needs to feed through the thimble. You can and should make that length so short that it will be physically impossible for the bridle to tie itself to the tow ring. And by doing that you eliminate the need for a release on the other end (your hitch pin release).
I predict that your hitch pin release will be totally inoperable when it's feeling a full normal (unsplit) towline tension. Early in my aerotow career I devised the same sort of device as a (two point) secondary release - cotter pin through a Lark's Head with a pull loop on the end. Then one day I tested it loaded with my body weight. No fuckin' way. Plus the way you have it rigged only half of your pull effort goes to the pin.
Configure so you don't need it and, if you'd still rather have something there, use a straight pin barrel or three-string release.
There's no weak link in the system. You're extremely unlikely to ever need one but the same can be said about your helmet and parachute. And the financial, weight, and drag costs of installing a weak link is essentially zero. Put an as-short-as-possible loop of 250 pound fishing line on the left (tooth-lock) end of your bridle. And if you leave the bridle long enough to wrap then put one on the right end as well.
Or put a Number 7 Tost weak link between the towline and tow ring. Costs a bit and weighs something but it will hold up to dragging and everyone will have an overload protector in the system.
http://content.foto.my.mail.ru/mail/birukobu/186/h-192.jpg
I had trouble understanding it at first because the 1024 width images as displayed in the Personal Messages window had a lot of right side chopped off and my brain was too fried at the time to think to open them in new windows and see what was going on. I've loaded them all into Flickr so I can display them in 800 width here.
So the carabiner is clipped to the tow ring (quick link) and the barrel release is routed over the basetube and the long green line is routed through vinyl tubing and under the basetube.
The Stage One / barrel release engages the approximately eighth inch leechline loop - which functions as the primary tow ring during the first stage of the climb.
Around the time the "over" routing is becoming problematic the barrel is pulled (forward) and the green towline extension is tensioned and the thimble in the downwind eye functions as the primary tow ring.
The bridle runs between the "tooth-lock" on the left (or right) shoulder and the wrapped bridle emergency / hitch pin release on the right (or left) shoulder.
Blow the tooth-lock when you've topped out and the bridle feeds through the leechline loop and thimble and you, the tooth-lock, bridle, and hitch pin release go on your merry way, everything else other than the leechline loop - which you've just lost - goes down on the end of the towline.
In a low level lockout emergency while you're still Stage One you blow the tooth-lock and everything happens the same except you don't lose the loop.
These are older photos and the extension line is now spliced rather than knotted.
http://content.foto.my.mail.ru/mail/birukobu/186/h-191.jpg
http://content.foto.my.mail.ru/mail/birukobu/186/h-190.jpg
http://content.foto.my.mail.ru/mail/birukobu/186/h-189.jpg
http://content.foto.my.mail.ru/mail/birukobu/186/h-188.jpg
http://content.foto.my.mail.ru/mail/birukobu/186/h-193.jpg
http://content.foto.my.mail.ru/mail/birukobu/186/h-194.jpg
http://content.foto.my.mail.ru/mail/birukobu/186/h-187.jpg
https://vk.com/video?z=video7287988_169097545%2Falbum7287988
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L42TjOX1DJM
Comments...
Ingenious concept but the execution could use some work.
The carabiner could be replaced with a quick link (like what's being used for the tow ring. That would make hookup a bit less convenient but the quick link would be cheaper, more durable, and aerodynamically cleaner.
The barrel release should be straight pin:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/aerotowrelease/8311348069/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/aerotowrelease/8312399698/
ALL barrel releases should be straight pin. WAY more strength and mechanical advantage. In this application, though, it's not a big deal because it's something you'd never use in an emergency anyway.
It looks like you're using perlon/nylon for the lower towline extension and hitch pin release. All materials which transmit tension - tow or actuation - should be low stretch. Elastic materials make the tow harder to control and less efficient and present recoil hazards. Mike Robertson was on the boat and had an eye taken out by a tow ring when a weak link on a normally climbing glider increased the safety of the towing operation and the polypro towline recoiled. Not a big deal here but low stretch is ALWAYS better.
That leechline loop is problematic. It's going to abrade the bridle a little during Stage One and if you need to effect an emergency release during Stage One it's going to be squeezing the bridle and there may be a possibility of it preventing the bridle from clearing. Shane Smith was killed in Phoenix on 2011/01/15 because of this issue. You could substitute a steel hook extending from a line going to your Stage One release and disengage and pocket it during Stage Two. Plus I'm not wild about the idea of dropping a piece of non biodegradable material onto the landscape for every tow.
A sailmaker's thimble:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/aerotowrelease/8313955230/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/aerotowrelease/8312907083/
is a better piece of hardware to install in the downwind eye of the towline extension. There's ZERO possibility of it causing a snag as a line is feeding through. It's designed exactly for that function.
The Stage Two release should be extended forward to minimize the length of bridle that needs to feed through the thimble. You can and should make that length so short that it will be physically impossible for the bridle to tie itself to the tow ring. And by doing that you eliminate the need for a release on the other end (your hitch pin release).
I predict that your hitch pin release will be totally inoperable when it's feeling a full normal (unsplit) towline tension. Early in my aerotow career I devised the same sort of device as a (two point) secondary release - cotter pin through a Lark's Head with a pull loop on the end. Then one day I tested it loaded with my body weight. No fuckin' way. Plus the way you have it rigged only half of your pull effort goes to the pin.
Configure so you don't need it and, if you'd still rather have something there, use a straight pin barrel or three-string release.
There's no weak link in the system. You're extremely unlikely to ever need one but the same can be said about your helmet and parachute. And the financial, weight, and drag costs of installing a weak link is essentially zero. Put an as-short-as-possible loop of 250 pound fishing line on the left (tooth-lock) end of your bridle. And if you leave the bridle long enough to wrap then put one on the right end as well.
Or put a Number 7 Tost weak link between the towline and tow ring. Costs a bit and weighs something but it will hold up to dragging and everyone will have an overload protector in the system.
- Tad Eareckson
- Posts: 9161
- Joined: 2010/11/25 03:48:55 UTC
Re: Releases
Jump to next post:
http://www.kitestrings.org/post7464.html#p7464
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0sL-gqIVWg
Roudnice nad Labem, Czech Republic
01-00001
- 01 - chronological order
- -0 - minutes
- 00 - seconds
- 01 - frame (50 fps)
Probable Cessna 162.
01-00001
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7282/16405814628_e22e1f45f8_o.png
No idiot:
- tow mast breakaway
- tow mast breakaway protector
- Dragonfly driver with his head up his ass
02-00103
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7364/16407175399_55afd4b45b_o.png
Wills Wing T2C. Pro toad bridle.
03-00649
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8672/16592385302_29d310eaab_o.png
04-03910
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7451/16406007690_18cedd5c9a_o.png
05-04538
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7409/15970858174_6fe2b19fde_o.png
06-04800
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7404/16567040516_62229c1e4d_o.png
Right cart wheel off the ground. Note direction of smoke drift.
07-04818
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8606/16591835691_fe40d1058a_o.png
08-04827
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8629/16593028445_4aa9757a5e_o.png
Might be a good time to make the easy reach to that bent pin piece o' crap "release" on your left shoulder and abort this tow.
09-04909
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7334/16405812528_d7f322aab6_o.png
Note windsock.
10-04920
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7342/16407173369_1981963681_o.png
11-04930
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7370/16591834841_8a97a6ddbd_o.png
Guess you're one of those guys who thinks he can fix a bad thing and doesn't wanna start over.
12-04939
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7374/16592383192_8d7061389a_o.png
13-04947
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7420/16593027745_2bff5100d3_o.png
Good thing you mounted the skid on the side you were gonna go down on.
14-05005
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7340/15973253763_633633d6f4_o.png
http://www.chgpa.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=2467
weak links
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7394/16405811448_6df5993f2e_o.png
Pretty good look at the pro toad bridle. (Use the URL for full res.) Can't imagine why he's not reaching for the easily reachable release.
16-05023
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8605/16567038716_3f7dde40f5_o.png
17-05032
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8602/16567038506_39413b4b57_o.png
18-05035
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7346/16406004850_e20952d847_o.png
19-05037
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7450/16592381962_b526252cb0_o.png
20-05042
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8635/16567037936_ca97547faa_o.png
21-05100
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8677/16407171439_2c38a4e51e_o.png
22-05107
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7336/16567037626_d782416cfa_o.png
23-05121
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8570/16567037456_581fd047f7_o.png
Looks like you got the bad thing mostly fixed - and without wheels. Congratulations.
24-05137
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7403/16405809708_bde5bf57a8_o.png
http://www.wallaby.com/aerotow_primer.php
Aerotow Primer for Experienced Pilots
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7450/16593025065_8f882c5596_o.png
Must be using one of those Tad-O-Links.
26-05243
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7339/15970853994_2b6e40c2bb_o.png
Aren't you worried about endangering the tug pilot with that thing?
27-05305
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7446/16406002790_2e8fd459e1_o.png
Guess not.
28-05324
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7357/16593024815_13a037b12f_o.png
Landing gear down.
29-05426
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7381/16592380382_d9f48ed271_o.png
Now you're almost ready to stop in in a narrow dry riverbed with large rocks strewn all over the place.
30-05508
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7390/16567036426_99c5c73e05_o.png
31-05540
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7314/16593024545_816427f8ab_o.png
32-05608
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7440/16406002290_34d7aff7e3_o.png
And now things are settled down enough to make it possible to start making the easy reach to your easily reachable "release".
33-05612
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8582/15970853574_4e229059fd_o.png
34-05625
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7427/15970853424_25b5849c2e_o.png
35-05628
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7439/15973250873_7677d7fa62_o.png
36-05638
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7449/16592379682_e683aab36f_o.png
Got it. And just a bit over eight seconds after things started going south. Might be a new Industry Standard equipment record.
37-05639
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8563/15973250793_3b7d7ac061_o.png
38-05640
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8641/16591830951_5a8d2cf8aa_o.png
39-05641
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7455/16406001690_94e61bf053_o.png
40-05715
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7326/16593023915_3fcaf769c8_o.png
But now you're gonna hafta start over anyway.
41-05816
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7284/16407169289_33c66d063c_o.png
And so's the tug.
42-10334
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7422/16593023765_0dfe79e689_o.png
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5548/14306846174_185f09082e_o.png
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5530/14120804830_2aabd74d25_o.png
See also:
http://www.kitestrings.org/post7450.html#p7450
Jump to top:
http://www.kitestrings.org/post7459.html#p7459
http://www.kitestrings.org/post7464.html#p7464
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0sL-gqIVWg
Roudnice nad Labem, Czech Republic
01-00001
- 01 - chronological order
- -0 - minutes
- 00 - seconds
- 01 - frame (50 fps)
Probable Cessna 162.
01-00001
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7282/16405814628_e22e1f45f8_o.png
No idiot:
- tow mast breakaway
- tow mast breakaway protector
- Dragonfly driver with his head up his ass
02-00103
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7364/16407175399_55afd4b45b_o.png
Wills Wing T2C. Pro toad bridle.
03-00649
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8672/16592385302_29d310eaab_o.png
04-03910
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7451/16406007690_18cedd5c9a_o.png
05-04538
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7409/15970858174_6fe2b19fde_o.png
06-04800
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7404/16567040516_62229c1e4d_o.png
Right cart wheel off the ground. Note direction of smoke drift.
07-04818
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8606/16591835691_fe40d1058a_o.png
08-04827
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8629/16593028445_4aa9757a5e_o.png
Might be a good time to make the easy reach to that bent pin piece o' crap "release" on your left shoulder and abort this tow.
09-04909
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7334/16405812528_d7f322aab6_o.png
Note windsock.
10-04920
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7342/16407173369_1981963681_o.png
11-04930
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7370/16591834841_8a97a6ddbd_o.png
Guess you're one of those guys who thinks he can fix a bad thing and doesn't wanna start over.
12-04939
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7374/16592383192_8d7061389a_o.png
13-04947
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7420/16593027745_2bff5100d3_o.png
Good thing you mounted the skid on the side you were gonna go down on.
14-05005
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7340/15973253763_633633d6f4_o.png
http://www.chgpa.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=2467
weak links
15-05014Jim Rooney - 2007/08/01 13:47:23 UTC
Whatever's going on back there, I can fix it by giving you the rope.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7394/16405811448_6df5993f2e_o.png
Pretty good look at the pro toad bridle. (Use the URL for full res.) Can't imagine why he's not reaching for the easily reachable release.
16-05023
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8605/16567038716_3f7dde40f5_o.png
17-05032
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8602/16567038506_39413b4b57_o.png
18-05035
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7346/16406004850_e20952d847_o.png
19-05037
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7450/16592381962_b526252cb0_o.png
20-05042
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8635/16567037936_ca97547faa_o.png
21-05100
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8677/16407171439_2c38a4e51e_o.png
22-05107
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7336/16567037626_d782416cfa_o.png
23-05121
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8570/16567037456_581fd047f7_o.png
Looks like you got the bad thing mostly fixed - and without wheels. Congratulations.
24-05137
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7403/16405809708_bde5bf57a8_o.png
http://www.wallaby.com/aerotow_primer.php
Aerotow Primer for Experienced Pilots
25-05229Wallaby Ranch - 2015/02/20
If you fail to maintain the correct tow position (centered, with the wheels of the tug on the horizon), the weak link will break before you can get into too much trouble.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7450/16593025065_8f882c5596_o.png
Must be using one of those Tad-O-Links.
26-05243
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7339/15970853994_2b6e40c2bb_o.png
Aren't you worried about endangering the tug pilot with that thing?
27-05305
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7446/16406002790_2e8fd459e1_o.png
Guess not.
28-05324
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7357/16593024815_13a037b12f_o.png
Landing gear down.
29-05426
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7381/16592380382_d9f48ed271_o.png
Now you're almost ready to stop in in a narrow dry riverbed with large rocks strewn all over the place.
30-05508
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7390/16567036426_99c5c73e05_o.png
31-05540
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7314/16593024545_816427f8ab_o.png
32-05608
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7440/16406002290_34d7aff7e3_o.png
And now things are settled down enough to make it possible to start making the easy reach to your easily reachable "release".
33-05612
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8582/15970853574_4e229059fd_o.png
34-05625
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7427/15970853424_25b5849c2e_o.png
35-05628
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7439/15973250873_7677d7fa62_o.png
36-05638
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7449/16592379682_e683aab36f_o.png
Got it. And just a bit over eight seconds after things started going south. Might be a new Industry Standard equipment record.
37-05639
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8563/15973250793_3b7d7ac061_o.png
38-05640
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8641/16591830951_5a8d2cf8aa_o.png
39-05641
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7455/16406001690_94e61bf053_o.png
40-05715
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7326/16593023915_3fcaf769c8_o.png
But now you're gonna hafta start over anyway.
41-05816
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7284/16407169289_33c66d063c_o.png
And so's the tug.
42-10334
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7422/16593023765_0dfe79e689_o.png
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5548/14306846174_185f09082e_o.png
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5530/14120804830_2aabd74d25_o.png
See also:
http://www.kitestrings.org/post7450.html#p7450
Jump to top:
http://www.kitestrings.org/post7459.html#p7459
- Tad Eareckson
- Posts: 9161
- Joined: 2010/11/25 03:48:55 UTC
Re: Releases
http://www.hanggliding.org/viewtopic.php?t=7607
truck towing Question
http://www.kite-enterprises.com/articles/tow_release_wars.htm
Tow Release Wars
45-1610
54-1706
'Specially Dave Broyles.
- Isn't line PRESSURE upon release pretty much zero? Is there some other figure you're recommending?
http://ozreport.com/9.191
John Woiwode's Lockout
It was just a stall.
And it had absolutely nothing to do with his moronic move to line up straight behind the truck in a strong crosswind - it was all because he failed to manage line pressure upon release.
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9Ek9_lFeSII/UZ4KuB0MUSI/AAAAAAAAGyU/eWfhGo4QeqY/s1024/GOPR5278.JPG
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Xh_NfnOcUns/UZ4Lm0HvXnI/AAAAAAAAGyk/0PlgrHfc__M/s1024/GOPR5279.JPG
Guess he's experienced enough 'cause he pulled out a few feet off the deck.
So how 'bout this guy?:
37-23223
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3713/9655904048_89cce6423a_o.png
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bRrpHNa68iY/UQ6Pv9gRZyI/AAAAAAAAjTg/Hc22bx5122Q/s2048/20943781_BG1.jpg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3OMoQDbL3o
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GjpCpgTiDS4
Virtual certainty. Hard to go wrong with any of these experienced Texas...
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8143/7462005802_bbc0ac66ac_o.jpg
...platform guys.
162-20727
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8576/16673571861_3962427127_o.png
...at a reputable school with state of the art equipment.
truck towing Question
Including...John Russell - 2008/07/04 15:45:20 UTC
Sandy, Utah
Wagner:
I am a USHGA Tow Administrator and Observer. My primary background is as a "Tow Head" with God only knows how many tows of all types.
...aero?John Russell, Jr. - 66054
- H4 - 2001/12/15 - David Broyles - AT FL ST VA AWCL CL FSL RLF TUR XC - AT TOW OBS, PL TOW OBS, ST TOW OBS
- P2 - Mark Gaskill - 2009/09/09 - FL VA CL FSL HA RLF RS TUR
More sound than your grammar, I trust.A Utah LONG TERM pilot (Red) contacted me off line and asked that I post back to your towing game plan. A bit about RED. He has flown since before the age of time. He, like you, are a bit head strong. This is good, and at times bad. None the less, his advice is sound.
Yeah...I personally know just about all the Texas Tow Heads in Dallas. Tony E, Dave Broyles, Greg, and a host of others that fly using platform towing just about every weekend. I learned from them. I towed with them just about every weekend we flew. They know their shit when it comes to towing.
http://www.kite-enterprises.com/articles/tow_release_wars.htm
Tow Release Wars
42-1520Dave Broyles
Now getting to the main issue. To take the hand off the control bar to release or not. It has not been my experience that having to remove a hand momentarily to operate a release causes a problem for a pilot with experience. Why? Because the glider in flight, being surrounded by several tons of air takes several seconds to react to any change. Thus there is ample time for a pilot to operate a release or even slap a 3-string release that is hanging.
45-1610
54-1706
'Specially Dave Broyles.
2005/07/07Towing can be dangerous. Just last summer...
John Woiwode...our local HG Master Rated Instructor...
- Tell me how one manages line PRESSURE?...crashed on tow behind my rig. He failed to manage line pressure upon release...
- Isn't line PRESSURE upon release pretty much zero? Is there some other figure you're recommending?
Oh, it wasn't a LOCKOUT......and stalled his glider as a result.
http://ozreport.com/9.191
John Woiwode's Lockout
It was just a stall.
And it had absolutely nothing to do with his moronic move to line up straight behind the truck in a strong crosswind - it was all because he failed to manage line pressure upon release.
He's not really with us today.He nearly died on us, and only because of an excellent TEAM effort in stabilizing him (RN was on site), getting local EMT's (Cell Phones) and a damn insistant Air Force Colonel getting the responding Medevac pilot in command to red line the turbines, he would not be with us today.
Will.Unfortunately, his injuries were such that he may...
Exactly....not fly again.
EVERYTING? PREFECT?My point is that when EVERYTING on the rig is perfect...
How 'bout this guy?:...a pilot that is not an experienced Tow Head can find him/herself in a world of hurt.
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9Ek9_lFeSII/UZ4KuB0MUSI/AAAAAAAAGyU/eWfhGo4QeqY/s1024/GOPR5278.JPG
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Xh_NfnOcUns/UZ4Lm0HvXnI/AAAAAAAAGyk/0PlgrHfc__M/s1024/GOPR5279.JPG
Guess he's experienced enough 'cause he pulled out a few feet off the deck.
So how 'bout this guy?:
37-23223
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3713/9655904048_89cce6423a_o.png
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bRrpHNa68iY/UQ6Pv9gRZyI/AAAAAAAAjTg/Hc22bx5122Q/s2048/20943781_BG1.jpg
Always an important issue in hang gliding. If you're a bit challenged in the testicles department see Orion Price.Your experience with the self launch on a new site without support or experience shows that you do not lack in the courage department.
Yeah...But to tow a new tow rig, without experience, without instruction, without trained supervision, will no doubt result in your flying career being severly cramped due to injury.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3OMoQDbL3o
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GjpCpgTiDS4
Virtual certainty. Hard to go wrong with any of these experienced Texas...
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8143/7462005802_bbc0ac66ac_o.jpg
...platform guys.
Nah, go for some PROPER training...Please do not go down this path. MANY have died, died unnecessarily because all those same mistakes have been made before. Don't go down that path.
162-20727
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8576/16673571861_3962427127_o.png
...at a reputable school with state of the art equipment.
Sixteen hundred pounds. You certainly don't want anything that blows six times in a row. That could be real inconvenient.I recommend that you first get some tows on a rig with experienced operators, with experienced instruction. Those Texas Boys are a real good start. if you prefer to come to Utah, I'll teach you here as well. The Texas Boys don't charge, neither do I. (Well something for fuel and line would be nice!).
Process:
1. Please get your tow rating first. Do it in Dallas or here if you like.
2. Look at many tow rigs and then design one that will be safe and efficient.
3. Invest in good line. 7/64" spectra is best.
So John Russell - P.E. H4, Observer, Tow Administrator... I somehow missed your comments on the Zack Marzec fatality. Any thoughts? Any references in the excellent book, Towing Aloft, by Dennis Pagen and Bill Bryden that would be of any help?I use 5,000 feet of it in Utah. In Texas they usually have only about 2,500 feet due to short tow road/runways.
4. Do a polar on your rig. The Texas Boys and I both have the equipment needed for this.
5. Then have a Tow Head look over your rig and tow it to test it... several times.
6. THEN AND ONLY THEN tow your rig with an experienced driver.
if you have any questions, feel free to contact Dave Broyles (Kite Enterprises, Allen, Texas) or myself.
John Russell, P.E. H4, Observer, Tow Administrator
Sandy, Utah
- Tad Eareckson
- Posts: 9161
- Joined: 2010/11/25 03:48:55 UTC
Re: Releases
Jump to next post:
http://www.kitestrings.org/post7519.html#p7519
Another majorish stills project...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NC4tdHAzh_M
Test Session in Brentwood
- U2 160, piece o' crap Wallaby Release with brake lever velcroed within easy reach to the downtube, bent pin backup release within easy reach on right shoulder used as primary
- Lightspeed, pro toad, landing included
Split into three posts:
1 - Flight 1 - 18 frames (This one,)
http://www.kitestrings.org/post7518.html#p7518
2 - Flight 2 - 19 frames - tow and descent
http://www.kitestrings.org/post7519.html#p7519
3 - Flight 2 - 17 frames - landing
http://www.kitestrings.org/post7520.html#p7520
01-000001
- 01 - chronological order
- 00 - minutes
- 00 - seconds
- 01 - frame (30 fps)
01-000001
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8713/16141817994_6161aec818_o.png
02-001000
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7647/16576732490_08d03bf8f5_o.png
03-001306
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7634/16556850377_7dd54ff840_o.png
In the next three frames watch the change in the image as the sun intrudes on the upper right corner.
04-010621
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05-010721
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06-010821
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7586/16764116535_93849efdb8_o.png
07-014327
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8635/16577981019_8e647bc6b0_o.png
Starboard end of the "secondary" bridle disconnected from the "backup" release:
08-014328
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8726/16762950831_c47173064e_o.png
09-014405
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7591/16141817014_37774073d7_o.png
"Secondary" bridle has cleared the "primary":
10-014406
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11-014407
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13-014411
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14-014413
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"Primary" bridle has cleared the tow ring:
15-014415
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8697/16764115505_c2d2c72d6a_o.png
http://ozreport.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=11591
Where to put the weaklink - the HGFA rules
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8618/16576545038_2efbcf3fcb_o.png
Keep up the great work, Diev. You'll probably keep on getting lucky. The vast majority of you morons always do.
17-014729
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7599/16144181963_3e7a0ca54e_o.png
18-022224
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7589/16144181833_83b4fce6af_o.png
Jump to top:
http://www.kitestrings.org/post7518.html#p7518
http://www.kitestrings.org/post7519.html#p7519
Another majorish stills project...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NC4tdHAzh_M
Test Session in Brentwood
Two flights:
- U2 160, piece o' crap Wallaby Release with brake lever velcroed within easy reach to the downtube, bent pin backup release within easy reach on right shoulder used as primary
- Lightspeed, pro toad, landing included
Split into three posts:
1 - Flight 1 - 18 frames (This one,)
http://www.kitestrings.org/post7518.html#p7518
2 - Flight 2 - 19 frames - tow and descent
http://www.kitestrings.org/post7519.html#p7519
3 - Flight 2 - 17 frames - landing
http://www.kitestrings.org/post7520.html#p7520
01-000001
- 01 - chronological order
- 00 - minutes
- 00 - seconds
- 01 - frame (30 fps)
01-000001
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8713/16141817994_6161aec818_o.png
02-001000
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7647/16576732490_08d03bf8f5_o.png
03-001306
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7634/16556850377_7dd54ff840_o.png
In the next three frames watch the change in the image as the sun intrudes on the upper right corner.
04-010621
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8603/16556850237_c0d7e43256_o.png
05-010721
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8666/16144183543_8d2a944245_o.png
06-010821
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7586/16764116535_93849efdb8_o.png
07-014327
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8635/16577981019_8e647bc6b0_o.png
Starboard end of the "secondary" bridle disconnected from the "backup" release:
08-014328
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8726/16762950831_c47173064e_o.png
09-014405
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7591/16141817014_37774073d7_o.png
"Secondary" bridle has cleared the "primary":
10-014406
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7633/16763055582_52bcedb60b_o.png
11-014407
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7641/16763055422_a36f6d8c2b_o.png
12-014409
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7596/16577980269_1a9a0078a8_o.png
13-014411
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7600/16141816454_a5b35e0ae3_o.png
14-014413
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8621/16763054862_71373dcb62_o.png
"Primary" bridle has cleared the tow ring:
15-014415
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8697/16764115505_c2d2c72d6a_o.png
http://ozreport.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=11591
Where to put the weaklink - the HGFA rules
16-014420Rohan Holtkamp - 2008/04/21
Once again history has shown us that this thread-through system can hook up and the hang glider remains being towed by the keel only, with the bridle well out of reach of even a hook knife. I know of just one pilot to survive this type of hook-up, took him some twelve months to walk again though.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8618/16576545038_2efbcf3fcb_o.png
Keep up the great work, Diev. You'll probably keep on getting lucky. The vast majority of you morons always do.
17-014729
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7599/16144181963_3e7a0ca54e_o.png
18-022224
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7589/16144181833_83b4fce6af_o.png
Jump to top:
http://www.kitestrings.org/post7518.html#p7518
- Tad Eareckson
- Posts: 9161
- Joined: 2010/11/25 03:48:55 UTC
Re: Releases
Jump to next post:
http://www.kitestrings.org/post7520.html#p7520
1 - Flight 1 - 18 frames
http://www.kitestrings.org/post7518.html#p7518
2 - Flight 2 - 19 frames - tow and descent (This one,)
http://www.kitestrings.org/post7519.html#p7519
3 - Flight 2 - 17 frames - landing
http://www.kitestrings.org/post7520.html#p7520
19-035004
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20-035402
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28-052214
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7608/16764113505_503498c355_o.png
Pop:
29-052215
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8750/16141814264_d964ae139b_o.png
30-052216
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8609/16576542868_1e04301bba_o.png
Clear:
31-052217
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7641/16576542758_73d94ecd56_o.png
32-052218
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33-052228
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34-052803
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35-071528
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8562/16576542388_d98d0c4f2c_o.png
36-082612
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7610/16577977119_a16996804e_o.png
37°57'03.65" N 121°39'02.07" W
37-084924
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8664/16144179353_1ece182f68_o.png
Jump to top:
http://www.kitestrings.org/post7519.html#p7519
http://www.kitestrings.org/post7520.html#p7520
1 - Flight 1 - 18 frames
http://www.kitestrings.org/post7518.html#p7518
2 - Flight 2 - 19 frames - tow and descent (This one,)
http://www.kitestrings.org/post7519.html#p7519
3 - Flight 2 - 17 frames - landing
http://www.kitestrings.org/post7520.html#p7520
19-035004
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7284/16577979359_3672053ba5_o.png
20-035402
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21-035414
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22-035616
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23-040213
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24-040418
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25-041101
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26-052108
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27-052208
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28-052214
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7608/16764113505_503498c355_o.png
Pop:
29-052215
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8750/16141814264_d964ae139b_o.png
30-052216
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8609/16576542868_1e04301bba_o.png
Clear:
31-052217
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7641/16576542758_73d94ecd56_o.png
32-052218
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7611/16764113145_a616a1c84d_o.png
33-052228
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34-052803
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35-071528
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36-082612
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7610/16577977119_a16996804e_o.png
37°57'03.65" N 121°39'02.07" W
37-084924
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8664/16144179353_1ece182f68_o.png
Jump to top:
http://www.kitestrings.org/post7519.html#p7519
- Tad Eareckson
- Posts: 9161
- Joined: 2010/11/25 03:48:55 UTC
Re: Releases
Jump to next post:
http://www.kitestrings.org/post7521.html#p7521
1 - Flight 1 - 18 frames
http://www.kitestrings.org/post7518.html#p7518
2 - Flight 2 - 19 frames - tow and descent
http://www.kitestrings.org/post7519.html#p7519
3 - Flight 2 - 17 frames - landing (This one,)
http://www.kitestrings.org/post7520.html#p7520
38-095426
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39-095525
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40-095607
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50-100512
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52-100527
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53-100609
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54-100700
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Jump to top:
http://www.kitestrings.org/post7520.html#p7520
http://www.kitestrings.org/post7521.html#p7521
1 - Flight 1 - 18 frames
http://www.kitestrings.org/post7518.html#p7518
2 - Flight 2 - 19 frames - tow and descent
http://www.kitestrings.org/post7519.html#p7519
3 - Flight 2 - 17 frames - landing (This one,)
http://www.kitestrings.org/post7520.html#p7520
38-095426
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39-095525
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40-095607
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42-095826
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44-100022
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50-100512
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51-100521
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52-100527
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54-100700
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Jump to top:
http://www.kitestrings.org/post7520.html#p7520
- Tad Eareckson
- Posts: 9161
- Joined: 2010/11/25 03:48:55 UTC
Re: Releases
http://www.chgpa.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=3034
Weak Links and Tow Bridles
12-014409
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7596/16577980269_1a9a0078a8_o.png
...off the scale stupid shit.
37-23223
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3713/9655904048_89cce6423a_o.png
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bRrpHNa68iY/UQ6Pv9gRZyI/AAAAAAAAjTg/Hc22bx5122Q/s2048/20943781_BG1.jpg
...kill them. I can never remember which.
So what, exactly, IS Quest's very strict weak link policy?
http://ozreport.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=24846
Is this a joke ?
Weaklink testing
Weak Links and Tow Bridles
Nah JD, it's not like anybody in this sport can use ten year old kid common sense to make any fuckin' obvious predictions about what will happen as consequences of doing...JD Guillemette - 2008/02/10 19:20:13 UTC
Without "Test" pilots trying these what if's under controlled conditions we may never know just how bad a mistake like misplacing the weak link could get.
12-014409
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7596/16577980269_1a9a0078a8_o.png
...off the scale stupid shit.
Always a great substitute for a double or triple digit IQ.I'm sure the Keel release was operational and he may have had some way to cut the tow line like a link knife for back up. If all else fails he gets the rope.
I wasn't there, but your right, Jim (Prahl) has some guts.
Yeah, OP would have nothing but admiration for him.Jim Rooney - 2008/02/10 23:03:31 UTC
It's not like he did it at 5 feet
It did take some cahonez though.
Of course not. Definitely not a fucking genius like Bobby Bailey but certainly not STUPID.I remember him saying that he didn't expect it to be as bad as it was. I'm sure too that it's not as violent as it sounds (but perhaps it was)... what I remember most clearly was "you have no control" and "if I hadn't been able to release, it would have folded the glider". He had -and used- the top release, he just used it second. Yup, there's the tug pilot release and the tug's weaklink too. Jim's not stupid.
Yeah... Keep more stupid people alive. Or...If you ever wonder why Quest has a very strict weaklink policy, here's one of the reasons.
37-23223
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3713/9655904048_89cce6423a_o.png
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bRrpHNa68iY/UQ6Pv9gRZyI/AAAAAAAAjTg/Hc22bx5122Q/s2048/20943781_BG1.jpg
...kill them. I can never remember which.
So what, exactly, IS Quest's very strict weak link policy?
http://ozreport.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=24846
Is this a joke ?
http://ozreport.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=32824Davis Straub - 2011/08/26 14:04:52 UTC
We had six weaklink breaks in a row at Zapata this year. Russell Brown (tug pilot, tug owner, Quest Air owner) said go ahead and double up (four strands of Cortland Greenspot).
Weaklink testing
Nobody seems to be able to find out what it is. A bit odd for a very strict policy, donchya think?Mark Dowsett - 2013/07/04 21:41:52 UTC
I left Quest with some of the towmeup.com material when I was there in April and they were going to do testing as well. I'm not sure what they are now using.
-
- Posts: 1338
- Joined: 2011/07/18 10:37:38 UTC
Re: Releases
http://hpac.ca/tow/HPAC_Tow_Manual.asp
Hang Gliding / Paragliding Association of Canada Towing Procedures Manual
http://hpac.ca/tow/img/release.gif
See any issues with the lower illustration?
Hang Gliding / Paragliding Association of Canada Towing Procedures Manual
http://hpac.ca/tow/img/release.gif
See any issues with the lower illustration?
- Tad Eareckson
- Posts: 9161
- Joined: 2010/11/25 03:48:55 UTC
Re: Releases
AND it's a piece o' shit two-string taking the full towline load.
And Mission castigates Lin Lyons for ACCIDENTALLY doing THIS:
ONCE.
And Mission responds by immediately switching over to piece o' shit two-strings because they've realized that it's beyond their capabilities to:
- teach people how to safely connect and preflight three-strings
- themselves check people before launch
109-15221
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8615/16487544910_41f57852ac_o.png
And Mission castigates Lin Lyons for ACCIDENTALLY doing THIS:
ONCE.
And Mission responds by immediately switching over to piece o' shit two-strings because they've realized that it's beyond their capabilities to:
- teach people how to safely connect and preflight three-strings
- themselves check people before launch
109-15221
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8615/16487544910_41f57852ac_o.png
- Tad Eareckson
- Posts: 9161
- Joined: 2010/11/25 03:48:55 UTC
Re: Releases
http://www.hanggliding.org/viewtopic.php?t=32806
Icaro MastR: Spiral dive w/o recovery - batten clips opened
http://ozreport.com/13.238
Adam Parer on his tuck and tumble
...after the back plate fails and restricts the deployment port.
- Know any pilots who have hells of times pulling their easily reachable...
KSNV-CNN-1-1916
http://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5788/23461251751_e98b9c7500_o.png
...release actuators?
- Those are cover-your-ass limitations that nobody expects anyone to adhere to.
- These things are supposed to be designed to go into the air and the air can and does all the fuckin' time put them way beyond the placard limits - despite the best efforts of the pilot.
- A glider shouldn't disintegrate into a deathtrap just because somebody rolls it to ninety.
- So it would be OK if those tips had popped and decertified the glider if it were flying totally within specs as in the preceding video?
- If this is such a clear cut issue then how come the DHV reports blaming solely the pilot have been silently withdrawn?
022-04610
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2809/13746340634_a74b33d285_o.png
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2904/13999516576_f8bcfa76eb_o.png
090-10004
...slamming in. Who'da thunk.
http://www.forbesadvocate.com.au/story/2581947/hang-gliding-accident/?cs=4096
Hang gliding accident in Forbes
Aw fuck...
http://ozreport.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1143
Death at Tocumwal
So this guy's on a hot ship, cranks the VG on, deliberately rolls into a hard turn for some moderately hard aero at a moderately low altitude, has a mild structural failure and his VG can't be easily released and his designed parachute deployment system renders that option totally useless and he slams in fatally.
How come we're not talking about the deadly Industry Standard crap that everybody from Two on flies with when his objective is to just climb through the kill zone as conservatively/safely as possible just so he can get some airtime in the flatlands?
Icaro MastR: Spiral dive w/o recovery - batten clips opened
He wasn't and didn't.Bertram - 2015/04/25 18:50:13 UTC
Southern Germany
The plastic batten clips (produced by Airborne and used by many other HG manufacturers) of an Icaro2000 MastR (size M) hang glider with Dacron sail cloth opened after the pilot steered into a steep banked downward curve. The glider then entered a stable steep spiral dive with the inside wing billowing considerably more than the outer wing. The experienced pilot could not end the spiral dive.
The pilot was lucky to survive, although with serious injuries.
Yeah, that's a familiar sounding tactic.The incident happened one and a half years ago (!) in southern Germany (Rauschberg) on 26.10.2013.
However, only recently the German DHV asked a test pilot (Tim G., employed by the rigid wing manufacturer A.I.R.) to perform a test flight in a MastR. Tim also didn't succeed to recover the spiral dive after the inboard clips (1-5) opened. He was lucky to deploy his reserve just in time close to the ground.
Not till then, two accident investigation reports issued by the DHV (Klaus T.) blaming solely the pilot have been silently withdrawn from the DHV website.
See above.The DHV then issued a warning urging pilots to inspect their plastic batten clips, but so far is reluctant to publish the video of the DHV test flight (from what I heard though, things get out of control very rapidly with an even worse dive).
Told you to go fuck yourself?I asked Icaro2000 (Manfred R.) for an official statement on these incidents, but so far only received answers not meant to be made publicly available.
Yes.Video of the accident:
http://vimeo.com/106099298
DHV-warning (12.03.2015):
http://www.dhv.de/db1/source/technicdatareportnotes.php?lang=de&item=233
Questions:
Have any similar incidents been reported elsewhere?
Can failing batten clips lead to a severe or even catastrophic loss of controllability?
Without a doubt. You can tell by the total absence of any hint of an advisory.Is the USHPA familiar with the problem and have they been informed by the German DHV?
No.Does the design of the MastR differ from other HG designs making them more susceptible for batten clips to fail with subsequent severe loss of controllability?
Take care,
Bertram
If you don't regularly check DACRON (they're not nylon) ties you won't blow five of them simultaneously by pulling Gs. Nobody's EVER blown a leechline tensioner because it would hafta be about 95 percent frayed through to be at risk.sbrian2 - 2015/04/25 20:44:17 UTC
Bay Area
Hmmmm... batten clips (levers?) have always struck me as a little "iffy," a move from something rock-solid (nylon ties, as long as you regularly check them for wear) to something that looks like it could pop out...
Very mild aerobatics.Yet... they've been around for a long time now, on many, many, gliders -- and this seems like the first video to show a failure, during aerobatics.
- 'Specially...Many pilots seem to have a hell of a time pulling out those side-mounted chutes, too.
http://ozreport.com/13.238
Adam Parer on his tuck and tumble
...after the back plate fails and restricts the deployment port.
- Know any pilots who have hells of times pulling their easily reachable...
KSNV-CNN-1-1916
http://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5788/23461251751_e98b9c7500_o.png
...release actuators?
And I'm sure we'll do our usual stellar job of addressing the problem.Thanks for posting; this is something to be followed for sure.
mrcc - 2015/04/25 21:18:02 UTC
Auckland
A friend recently had a similar experience with his U2-160 but not as severe as this one. Just about 10 sec after take-off for what ever reason he popped his nose. Five of his in-board batten clips were released from there locked position. The gliders flying qualities decrease immediately & felt very uncomfortable to fly. He continued to fly carefully for approximately another 20 minutes before landing & then discovered the problem. His U2 has a mylar sail was very tight when he initially clip his battens in & thought at the time was due to shrinkage
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvh2jRZMWmE
check out 0:33sec
BULLSHIT.Krassimir Kaltchev - 2015/04/25 21:22:20 UTC
plastic batten ends
From what I can see on the first video, the glider was exceeding 60 degree to horizon angle, which means that the manufacturer should not be held responsible for this failure. They have stated very clearly the limits of operation of their aircraft.
- Those are cover-your-ass limitations that nobody expects anyone to adhere to.
- These things are supposed to be designed to go into the air and the air can and does all the fuckin' time put them way beyond the placard limits - despite the best efforts of the pilot.
- A glider shouldn't disintegrate into a deathtrap just because somebody rolls it to ninety.
- So it would be OK if those tips had popped and decertified the glider if it were flying totally within specs as in the preceding video?
- If this is such a clear cut issue then how come the DHV reports blaming solely the pilot have been silently withdrawn?
High G is three to six. This glider was well below that range.Regarding the plastic batten ends, I have seen some worn out edges, where they seem to engage, but are very easy to fold open, much easier than a good one. So I would say, this could be a combination of factors, may be some of the batten ends were not perfect (worn out) plus high G.
Bottom Line Up Front: When a maintenance item is a major contributor to a fatality there's something seriously wrong with the design/ engineering.KTMPilot - 2015/04/25 22:58:52 UTC
Lafayette, California
BLUF: Replace worn batten flip tips; they are a maintenance item.
DHV conducted studies of flip tip performance and prepared this document:
http://www.dhv.de/web/medien/archiv/artikel-archiv/sicherheit/drachen-clips-im-test
How 'bout state of the art Industry Standard two point aerotow "releases"?Walt Conklin - 2015/04/25 23:05:08 UTC
Rib cords are the way to go and they don't produce that much drag.
He's not. Speaking of which... Can you give us any updates on the Kelly/Arys investigation?Jonathan Boarini - 2015/04/25 23:29:32 UTC
Las Vegas
Man that was scary to watch. Even though the bank angle was high, I was still surprised how easily they popped out. Yikes. Hope the pilot is okay.
Oh. So extra hand motions required to free ropes when doing radical maneuvers close to the ground can spell the difference between recovering and...NMERider - 2015/04/26 00:25:14 UTC
Thanks Bertram. Pilots should know that once a flip lever has been forced open it should be discarded and replaced. They lose a substantial degree of their holding power after the first time they are forced.
Pilots should think twice about doing radical maneuver that close to the ground without holding the VG rope in their hand. I would expect that if he had released his VG enough that the glider would have recovered or been recoverable. But that's difficult when the rope is secured in a vertical cleat. Those vertically oriented sailboat jam cleats are bad news as they take extra hand motions in order to free the rope.
022-04610
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2809/13746340634_a74b33d285_o.png
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2904/13999516576_f8bcfa76eb_o.png
090-10004
...slamming in. Who'da thunk.
What kind of aerotow release did your Sensor come with...My Sensor came with one of these sailboat jam cleats and I replaced it with a Moyes-style cleat that requires only a fraction of the hand/wrist motion to engage and disengage.
http://www.forbesadvocate.com.au/story/2581947/hang-gliding-accident/?cs=4096
Hang gliding accident in Forbes
...and what did you replace it with so you'd be able to disengage with only a fraction of the hand/wrist motion?Renee Powell - 2014/09/24 14:15
A man was airlifted to Westmead Hospital with head injuries after a hang gliding accident at Forbes aerodrome on Tuesday afternoon.
It appears the man, who is from Sydney, was being towed up by a light aircraft but shortly after he left the launching trolley he crashed back to the ground.
Ambulances were called to the site and transported the man to Eugowra showground, where he was picked up by helicopter and taken to Sydney.
Ambulance media officers said his condition had been stabilised but he was suffering serious injuries including to his head and face.
Police believe the man, in his 30s, was an inexperienced hang glider but they have not been able to clarify exactly what went amiss on launching.
More to come.
Aw fuck...
http://ozreport.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1143
Death at Tocumwal
In towing it's just a psychological issue. As a pilot you need to be able to condition yourself to overcome your natural inclinations in order to be able to do the RIGHT thing.Davis Straub - 2006/01/24 12:27:32 UTC
Bill Moyes argues that you should not have to move your hand from the base bar to release. That is because your natural inclination is to continue to hold onto the base bar in tough conditions and to try to fly the glider when you should be releasing.
He won't/didn't.I hope the pilot recovers.
So this guy's on a hot ship, cranks the VG on, deliberately rolls into a hard turn for some moderately hard aero at a moderately low altitude, has a mild structural failure and his VG can't be easily released and his designed parachute deployment system renders that option totally useless and he slams in fatally.
How come we're not talking about the deadly Industry Standard crap that everybody from Two on flies with when his objective is to just climb through the kill zone as conservatively/safely as possible just so he can get some airtime in the flatlands?