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Dual
Towing of Gliders |
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August
2010
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| Following on from the Watts Bridge weekend in May, I feel it is pertinent to bring to the attention of any new dual-tow glider pilots, that if we recommence the occasional weekend at Watts Bridge and they do some more dual tows, they should not expect that the air will always be as smooth and the tows “a walk in the park” like the long weekend in May. |
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| As pilots of numerous dual tows to Watts are aware, some tows can be very stressful for both the glider pilot and tug pilot. Conditions can deteriorate very rapidly between YCAB and YWSG. Tug pilots try and not push the envelope, but having in mind the considerable work involved by members organizing these weekends, even under uninviting conditions, we do try and proceed with the tows and get the gliders over there if it is at all possible to do so safely. Then there is the return on the final day when ”get-home-itis” can become a factor. |
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| Tug pilots can be faced with a very low cloud base, even along the valley and very turbulent conditions due to strong winds, unforeseen storms and rain, especially during late afternoon tows. If it is a case of having to fly above low broken cloud of perhaps 5 to 7 OKTAS, it is important that glider pilots are very familiar with the terrain they are traversing. As many landmarks and prospective outlanding areas as possible should be noted by glider pilots during their first dual tow to Watts Bridge. |
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| If for any reason gliders had to be released, or experienced a rope break, it would not do for pilots to find themselves heading towards say Mount Archer, with strong winds and dangerous roll-over. During tows in cruise or descent, rope breaks are a distinct possibility and have occurred, due to the necessary use of airbrakes by the glider pilot, with the occasional hard jerk on a slack rope. |
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| I do not wish to overstate these aspects of cross-country towing, as some dual-tow glider pilots may be lucky and never strike one of these days of very adverse conditions. Be forewarned however, that on cross-country tows, be they long ones, or short tows like the ones to and from Watts Bridge, the utmost concentration is required to minimize slack rope situations and pilots should be continually looking at their options, as sometimes the exercise can go badly awry. |
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| Tony Sorensen |
| Tugmaster |
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