On Jun 25, 11:33 pm, Darryl Ramm <darryl.r...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
> On Jun 25, 8:02 pm, "Bill Daniels" <bildan@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
>
>
>
> > "Gary Emerson" <emerson_g...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote in message
>
> >news:UWB8k.4816$LG4.2438@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
> > > How many more of those we need till we conclude that the rudder
> > >> waggle does NOT work?
>
> > > I think this is a reasonably valid point. There HAVE been a number
o=
f
> > > people who have misunderstood this signal.
>
> > > Perhaps something else would be better. The question is what signal
=
would
> > > be a good replacement. You could have fla****ng lights on the
towplan=
e,
> > > perhaps mounted just above the towhitch. The only thing is you'd
pro=
bably
> > > have to install two lights. Say one yellow and one red.
>
> > > Yellow means you've got a problem, but if you can get it fixed
pretty
> > > quick we'll keep going. Red means get off now or I'm gonna dump
you.
>
> > > If you don't have two signals, I'd bet that we'd still have people
> > > releasing when they didn't have to.
>
> > > As I think about it, it might be best if there was a single array of
=
high
> > > output LEDs. When both "colors" of the array are "on" then you have
=
a
> > > single visible color that means "ok" (red and blue make green in
conc=
ept,
> > > but in emitted light that combination doesn't work). That way the
gl=
ider
> > > pilot can verify at the start that both signals "work" and they stay
=
"on"
> > > for the duration of the tow. If either the "warning" or "get off"
> > > switches are selected in the cockpit then only the corresponding
"col=
or"
> > > is then visible to the glider pilot. Perhaps with the "warning"
bein=
g a
> > > steady signal and "get off" being a rapid flash to help with fast
> > > recognition and a sense of urgency.
>
> > > Other thoughts?
>
> > The tuggie should condiser if a signal is needed. If they are
climbing=
in
> > spite of open spoilers the best option is to wait until the glider
coul=
d
> > release and land safely before wagging the rudder. A premature rudder
=
wag
> > may have caused some of these incidents.
>
> > I wouldn't neccessarilly say radio is the simplest option. If a pilot
=
can't
> > remember to close the spoilers, or notice that they are open, could he
> > operate a radio and fly a glider at the same time?
>
> > High brightness LED's are a really simple idea. Some tuggies could
use=
them
> > as turn signals.
>
> > Bill D
>
> Exactly, but this was a two place ****p and may have been at high
> density altitudes. . The glider pilot does not need to operate the
> radio, he just has to listen. Yes he needs to be tuned to the right
> frequency and have the volume up, etc. That's what preflight
> checklists and radio checks are for, and yes people will still get
> this wrong. But if the glider radio is not working then the rudder
> waggle can be used and ultimately if necessary a rock off or rope
> guillotine/release (again preferably at altitude).
>
> BTW that BFR (or spring checkout) I mentioned should involve pulling
> the spoilers open on tow at altitude, and maybe different tow speeds,
> and just leaving them flapping around as well to see what they do.
> This will show what it feels like and you get to experience the radio
> call/signals from the tow plane that result.
>
> I've only had spoilers pop open on a DG-1000S on tow, hit a sharp bump
> at a few hundred feet and they popped (not properly closed no doubt by
> yours truly) the Piggott hook did its job and the noise of the
> spoilers vibrating up and down gets your attention. For Piggott hook
> equipped gliders I think it is worth demonstrating this as well during
> a BFR/spring checkout.
>
> Darryl
"Waggling the rudder=94 signal, like any other =93secondary=94 signal is
perfectly OK.
THE PROBLEM most of those "absent minded" glider pilots have, is NOT
KNOWING a most im****tant signal: The =93Wave Off" signal. In my old
country, I was taught to release from tow plane only when I was rock
off. And only then. Period. As a result, I had a chance to see that
signal every time I took a tow. Hundreds times. I know that signal
very well. And to be safe you have to know this signal very well.
Practice, my young friends. What is wrong wit a mandatory waving off
the gliders at the end of the tow? Every day for practice=85and once in
a lifetime for safety.
rrk
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