Towing is valuable for training, especially in areas without hills, but carries extreme risk if not done properly. Here are some tips on what to look for in a towing operation. Solo tow operators are common, but even they acknowledge that the safest arrangement is for a tow operator to be paying attention only to the tow, and an instructor paying attention to the teaching.
Serious accidents and at least one fatality have happened during tow.
Tow Assist Split Bridle
This device reduces the chances for glider hang-back and helps with inflation. Geometry is such that, during inflation, it pulls the glider’s speed system to all-but-eliminate the possibility of the glider going into parachutal stall.
Hooking up a typical release Mechanism is shown here.
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- Top (pin side) of typical split-bridle tow bridle
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- Bottom of typical split-bridle tow bridle
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- Paraglider attachment of cup-type attachment