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There have been a number of serious injuries
and at least one fatality during towing operations. As a training aid it
is valuable and widely used to introduce new students to flight without
the risk of damaging gear.
After observations and consulting with one of our sports most prolific
tow operators, these recommendations have been developed to make the
practice much, much safer.
These will be fleshed out in an upcoming book, the PPG Instructor
Manual.
- Longer towlines are better.
- The turnaround pulley should be avoided. It introduces several risks
including the possibility that a snag could happen, eliminating the
possibility that the tow operator can remove tension from an
out-of-control student. Plus it reduces the effectiveness of cutting the
line in an extreme emergency since the line must slide along the
ground for most of its length, even if cut.
- Weak links must be used! The argument proffered by some
pilots about the inconvenience and risk of weak links braking at
inopportune times is only applicable for those towing hard, usually
trying to achieve high altitude. The risk of high altitude towing for
powered paraglider training is not worth it!
- Overtowing can quickly become catastrophic. A pilot should never be
allowed to leave the ground unless his wing is FULLY overhead and
flying normally.
- Student towing should never exceed about 30' of height and never get
closer to the winch drum of 400'.
- At the very first sign of trouble, winch pressure should be reduced
and the student allowed to land.
- Tow operators must be trained.
- Towing training is best done with a tow operator and the
instructor. The tow operator must be able to cut the towline on the
instructor's command and must be thoroughly trained.
- Tow with a special Tow Assist bridle (www.towmeup.com)
which reduces the chance for lockout as well as the chance for
launching in a stalled condition.
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It is surprising how quickly
a good tow can go bad and we continue to learn. It is imperative that no
situation be allowed where the student must be counted on to act
correctly.
Students should be towed up gradually and rewarded with continued
flight by correct response. All tows should be conducted such that the
only instructor response required for an student error is to let off on
the throttle slowly. |
