When Will Your Rope Fail?

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 in the field.

Tost weak links eliminate the guess work of the breaking strength and allow an easy switch between towing a SparrowHawk and an ASH-25. The inserts are suggested to be replaced after 200 tows, reducing the chances for a failure.

W&W is the largest supplier to Tost equipment in North America. Tow releases are generally available with a core credit and we ship out your new release the same day.

Is your tow release current?

New TBO of Tost releases April 19, 2001 TBO 2000 launches accordingly 10,000 actuations. Life limiting part is the release spring, with a life expectancy of about 10,000 actuations. These life limiting parts apply to your factory built experimental glider also. Read more here.

 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.