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Thread: Glider Tugging
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Old 22nd Mar 2012, 22:22
  #19 (permalink)  
ProfChrisReed
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Suffolk
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Maybe an idea to have a quick check as to how many fatal accidents there were a few years ago with "tug upsets", which is when the glider get too high on tow and smashes the tug into the ground.
I believe all of those were caused by a combination of (a) inexperienced pilot, flying (b) a very light glider, on (c) a centre of gravity towing hook (as opposed to a nose hook). All the clubs I know won't allow that combination to recur. So far as I'm aware there have been no similar accidents since.

That's not to say it couldn't happen, which is why I have every admiration for the bold pilots who permit me to occupy the other end of the string. If one day I find I'm pushing the rope because of my wild antics at the back, I promise not to complain.
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