Revised Towing Procedure and Check List by Ken Munn
Yamaha 200 cc w/ trailer sold to Wally Anderson, Merlin Flight School, CA
BOSS $2000
December 18, 2000 Othar Lawrence and Chris Santacroce towing behind the same boat, at the same time, from the same line...
Othar and Chris on the first test tow. (photos: Chris Langan)
Obviously, both pilots launch at the same time...
Don't go any further without checking out a towing device. This device has the potential to make your towing both safer and more efficient. If you are teaching via tow, then, please consider using this amazing device.
THE TOWING DEVICE
(click here for more details)
Ken Munn's Stationary Winch
His other ride...
Scott Harris and his new, "Super Tow" Hydraulic Pay-Out Winch
By Brad Hill of Para-Adventures
Doing
the Towing Thing!
Launch
Procedures:
The Launch assistant will guide you in getting you connected and making sure that the line is run as straight as possible to the tow. If you are launching without a tow assistant, it will become your responsibility to hold tension until the line is nearly straight. Too much curve in the line will come out suddenly when you gain enough altitude to clear the grass, causing the glider to surge forward at low altitude. To avoid this the tow operator will not launch you if the line is too curved.
Radio to tow operator whether you want ‘tension’ or ‘slack’ in the line. Do not use phrases like “take up the slack” or “ease up on the tension”. This is important because any radio confusion may give you the wrong response!
When the line is straight, the winds are good, and all connection points have been double-checked, the tow assistant will radio for launch clearance. Clearance will be given. The pilot will ‘curtsy’ or bow to inform the tow operator that the tow is about to begin. The pilot will then begin by doing a slightly assisted forward inflation, when the glider comes up and over head, the tow operator will begin increasing the pull on the line until the glider becomes airborne. Should the line become too slack, the pilot should slow down his run as necessary to avoid overrunning the line. At no point should you overrun the towline.
On
Tow:
Use the brakes sparingly! During the tow the glider is flying much closer to it’s stall speed. Although it is important to maintain enough pressure to feel the wing during the tow, it is equally important to steer with gentle movements, preferably with only weight shift. The tow assistant will aid you with this judgment on your earlier flights.
The most efficient, safest and highest tows occur when the pilot is able to keep the wing flying perpendicular to the line. This gives the most powerful and safest lift. When the wing gets too far out of alignment, the tow operator is forced to ease the tow force to avoid ‘lock out’. Lock out is easily avoidable using the ‘scooter tow’ system, but having to avoid it costs altitude. Keep your wing aligned by repeatedly looking up at the wing, then down to the line throughout the tow.
Very little communication will be needed during the tow phase. The tow assistant or the tow operator will give any course corrections necessary. These cues will be: weight shift/lean right/left, or if weight shift isn’t enough, then brake right/left.
Release
Rules:
Do not release until cleared to do so by the tow operator. If you wish to release early, “waggle” your legs, then wait for clearance to release. (Via radio or flag)
If radio communication is lost, or apparently lost, look to the tow operator for a visual signal to release. This will usually be a deliberate sweeping arm wave, or a waving flag for higher tows. Once that you have released, dampen any surge, then make a visual check to confirm that you are indeed released. If not, you must release the brake handle and grab and shake the tow bridle as necessary to facilitate release. After release, you fly and land the glider according to the flight plan discussed with your instructor.
In the unlikely event that you are nearing the tow rig and have not received a signal to release, you should release from the line before passing over the winch. This will prevent the line from getting tangled on anything as you drag it behind you.