Rope Break
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December 31, 2020
You wouldn't believe it, but they can happen to you too! Occasionally I find myself too relaxed during my pre-takeoff checks, often because I have hundreds of hours under my belt in any given 12 month period, other times too because people are talking to me right up to hooking on the rope - this is not the time to be complacent! One needs to be positive & focused, if people are talking nearby you,
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January 30, 2020
The only way to eliminate risk is not to go flying. Since that's not an option for most of us let's try and mitigate the risk on the ground. Not just today or until you don’t have a problem and forget about it, EVER SINGLE FLIGHT FOREVER.
Fast is Slow and Slow is Fast
If you want to go Fast, slow
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March 02, 2017
You want to be surprised when the rope doesn't break. I use this same pessimistic attitude while slope soaring. Be surprised when things go your way. But this should be applied to the entire tow too. When you do your takeoff checklist you really want to be ready for it. Not just giving the checklist lip service. Be ready when it breaks and have a plan. Know where you are and where
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February 18, 2016
In the USA we have a tradition to use a weaker rope to meet FAR 91.309. Polypropylene is probably the most common. However in Europe a heavier duty rope is more common.
At the JWGC 2005 I borrowed a rope from the glider owner (each pilot was required to bring their own rope), it had to be close to a 1 inch diameter and about 110 ft long. We tied small streamers to it so it could be found