Takeoff, Tow and Release.

Initially, the student will follow along on the controls as the instructor performs the takeoff and aerotow. The principal lesson is for the student to notice how little the instructor moves the controls.

Explain to the student that just as the pilot doesn’t make the aircraft fly when off tow, the pilot doesn’t make the glider takeoff either. The glider will take off if the angle of attack is proper and the relative airflow is strong enough to provide enough lift.

Demonstrate that in a 2-33, the glider pilot sets the angle of attack by holding the stick just aft of the neutral position. ₁Keeping the wings level with necessary aileron deflections, while steering the path of the glider with the rudder while on the ground, it will take off when conditions (angle of attack and speed) are right. However, emphasize to the student that if the glider begins to weathervane due to wind or a wing continues to drop even with aileron input that opposite rudder should be used to lift the wing (explain the effects of aileron deflection on angle of attack and exceeding the critical angle of attack results in a stalled condition). Don’t attempt to force the glider to take off sooner or force it to stay on the ground. This technique will help the student prevent PIOs later on when they fly different gliders, especially single place sailplanes.

Tell the student to hold the stick lightly and to place their feet on the rudder pedals while the instructor performs the take off. The student is to notice that the instructor is holding the stick in the pre-set fore and aft position. After take off the instructor moves the stick slightly forward to hold the glider just a few feet above the ground as the tow plane develops enough speed for takeoff and climb.

Express a special caution as to the dangers of allowing the glider to become too high during the takeoff.

During the aerotow, the instructor explains to fly the glider with the glider’s wings level with the tow plane’s wings while keeping the tow plane’s wheels on the horizon. Point out that flying the tow is essentially formation flying. In formation flying there is always an established lead – in this case the tow plane. The glider pilot uses the flight controls to place the glider in proper position in reference to the lead – the tow plane. If you have as student who is continually chasing the tow plane and can’t seem to keep in position, it may be that they are fixating on the tow plane and not seeing the “big picture”. Tell the student to look beyond the tow plane at the horizon. This will allow them to see the tow plane as part of the overall picture and keep him on the horizon, keeping the glider in position up and down. It also allows them to see the towrope while making it drawing a straight line through the center of the tow plane, which will keep them in position left and right.

Point out that at the normal airspeed used for tow, that the glider is about 1 ½ - 2 seconds behind the tow plane and to watch the tow plane for visual cues as to what the glider is about to be towed into.

During the tow, the student should use coordinated flight control movements to make the glider stay in proper position. As stated for the Practical Test, “During aerotow, any uncoordinated use of the flight controls shall be disqualifying”, so don’t let bad habits continue.

At first, allow the student to fly the glider for no more than 10 seconds before taking control back. This will give the student a chance to get a feel for the flight controls on tow and a chance to relax a bit (about 30-60 seconds) after finding out how different it is than normal flight. As the student gets more proficient, lengthen the time before taking back control. Eventually the student will be flying the entire tow.

Tell the student to look left and right of the glider for other traffic before performing the release. Confirm the rope is free and clear of the glider before making a climbing or level right turn. It should be emphasized not to descend during the turn – the purpose of the turn is to get away from the rope and descending will put the glider closer to the rope.

1. Reference Glider Basics, Aerotow Takeoff.