> It pays to be pro-active about cutting worn ends off the rope, removing > extra knots, etc. Tug pilots can't do this on their own: the rope > runner is in the best position to check the rope before hooking it on.
When we (informally) train our wing-runners we make it clear that the rope must be free of knots before the tow commences - if we discover a knot that has been towed on (i.e. somebody spots it during take-off) then the general feeling is that the damage has been done, and most pilots will request that the rope is swapped for a good one. In our wing-runners should be checking the condition of the glider-end rings and rope before every launch. I think we have had around 2-3 aerotow rope breaks in the last 5 years or so, all with open class gliders approaching max weight. Mats _______________________________________________ Aus-soaring mailing list Aus-soaring@lists.internode.on.net To check or change subscription details, visit: http://lists.internode.on.net/mailman/listinfo/aus-soaring