Aileron Roll by glider while being aero towed
 

Not sure if this is the best forum but here we go.

I recently observed a single seat glider being recovered and towed out of a GA airfield by a DH Chipmunk, at what I would guess a four hundred feet the glider commences a series of aileron rolls, about five in total. Initialy I thought it was a loss of control problem.

Apart from the rule 5 implications, by that I mean the 500 foot exemption for a 'normal departure', as I doubt if the CAA would consider it a in that sense, is this either a permitted procedure during the aerotow in UK gliding? And just wondered how tug pilots feel about it? For either party, it seems to me an accident waiting to happen.

I've seen it done at airshows a few times - very impressive; I struggle to do competent aileron rolls at 5,000ft with an engine...

https://scontent-b-ams.xx.fbcdn.net/...91&oe=5492A606

It's certainly not normal practice, but if the glider and tug pilots are sufficiently competent and have properly briefed the manoeuvre, nothing wrong with it.

G