Rope Break

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 you are going to go.

Which way are you planning on turning? I have had many students say they will turn around at 200ft. Great, they call out 200ft and say they would turn around. Only they had not thought about what direction the turn would be, then it becomes something like 'Left, Right, Left, no Right, Wait Left, which way is the wind again? Left, Left'. I have also had students turn around fine at 200ft but pause a long time at 300ft because they were only thinking about 200ft and at 300ft they had to think if they were above 200ft still...

I have my students point and touch the altimeter where 200ft is (we are approximately 2900ft msl) as we are doing the takeoff checklist. I have them call out every 100ft up to 500ft and tell me where they are going to go. I also make sure they look (turn their head and look) and see where they are going to go.

One of the private owners told me he was amazed how quickly a clean ASW-17 will catch a towplane when the engine quits. You think a 200ft rope is a lot of distance, but it quickly becomes little separation.

On takeoff if the towpilot aborts the takeoff you will be overtaking the plane rather quickly. It may take a few seconds to realize what is going on. Meanwhile the towplane has a lot more drag and slowing down faster then you.

My CFI applicant I mentioned last week was talking about how he had never broken a rope and was surprised to hear that I have broken many with students. Many times you won't even think it will break. However we were slightly low, straight behind the towplane so no yaw correction to dampen the slack and we sent him home with a small yellow trophy.

Be surprised when the rope doesn't break before you release the towplane. Remember you were going to release at some point anyway, it was just earlier this time.

 Garret Willat holds a flight instructor rating with over 8000 hours in sailplanes. His parents have owned Sky Sailing Inc. since 1979. He started instructing the day after his 18th birthday. Since then, Garret has represented the US Junior team in 2003 and 2005. He graduated from Embry-Riddle with a bachelor's degree in Professional Aeronautics. Garret represented the US Open Class team in 2008 and 2010 and the Club Class team in 2014. Garret has won 3 US National Championships.