Re: Tom Knauff's newsletter

> Examples of the questions include:
>
> During a left turn on aero tow, which side of the towplane should the
> glider pilot see?
>
> A. Left side
> B. Right Side
> C. Both sides equally
> D. Which side does not matter as long as the glider is not too high.
>
> During a steep, continuous left hand turn, how are the controls held?
>
> A. Left Aileron, right rudder, back stick
> B. Left aileron, left rudder, back stick
> C. Right aileron, right rudder, back stick
> D. Right aileron, left rudder, back stick
>
> During an off field landing, what color farm field is generally most
> desirable?
>
> A. Light green
> B. Dark green
> C. Dirt color
> D. Color is not im****tant
>

OK, what are the correct answers, those are questions I have seen
before and they lead to a good discussion, but I would like to read
your opinion, always good.

Q#1:  If you were on a passenger train rounding a left bend in the tracks 
and looked out a window at the locomotive, the only side you could see is 
the left side.  Like a passenger car on a train, a glider should follow
the 
same path in the sky as the tow plane (locomotive) so you see the left
side. 
(Answer: A)

Q#2:  This one needs a some qualification since it depends on the glider. 
Obviously, into-the-turn aileron (left in a left turn) would never be used

in a continuous turn so the choice is between C and D.

I find many gliders, once stabilized in a turn, will track nicely with the

string centered with my feet off the pedals indicating no rudder is needed

at all.  Only opposite aileron (right in this case) is used to hold off
the 
overbanking tendency - this right aileron provides all the left yaw
(adverse 
yaw) needed to center the string.  Gliders with less adverse yaw will need

some into-the-turn rudder (Answer: D).   Gliders with a lot of adverse yaw

may need a little out-of-the-turn rudder (right) (Answer: C).

One must add that the Dick Johnson technique of using a slight slip also 
works nicely and adds a little to the performance.  Dick holds 
out-of-the-turn rudder to oppose overbanking and keeps the stick centered.

In my experience, this works best on gliders with generous dihedral and 
without winglets or polyhedral.

Q#3:  Any uniform green color indicates a growing crop.  This could be 
alfalfa, corn or something else.  You can land in freshly cut alfalfa or
hay 
but not much else.  Green usually means some form of irrigation which adds

additional hazards like sprinkler pipes.  Landing in a crop is likely to 
cause some irritation among the farm folk.  Dirt, if it's reasonably
smooth, 
level and large enough, is always landable.  (Answer: C)

Bill Daniels