Kite Strings

In reference to 130 lb Greenspot Jim Rooney, 2/13/2013 The shit works. It works in reality and it works consistently. Adam Parer, 11/25/2009 Due to the rough conditions weak links were breaking just about every other tow and the two tugs worked hard to eventually get everyone off the ground successf...

Jim Rooney, 2/12/2013

I get tired as hell "refuting" all these mouth release and "strong link" arguments.

I like how he already put "refuting" in quotes for us.

Looks like the USHPA SOPs... https://ushpa.aero/policy/SOP-12-02.pdf ...have been updated recently. The dedicated section on aerotowing has been deleted, with only the AT rating requirements remaining. This means the equipment section is gone along with all references to weak links (other than the s...

Tad,

Are you aware of any tow-related incidents involving pilots who at the time were using releases that did not require taking a hand off the bar? I couldn't think of any, although often the type of release isn't mentioned in accident reports.

Zack

What did I tell you. =)

Ksykes wrote:But I am falling into the feeding the troll trap. Enjoy talking to yourself. Thanks Scare for the ignore button.

Zack

I'm doubtful.

ksykes wrote:Zack - I choose not to get on the Tad part 2 merry-go-round. But please enjoy yourself.

http://www.hanggliding.org/viewtopic.php?p=292122#292122

Zack

Dang Tad, that was (aptly) scathing. Wish I'd waited to respond to him. =)

Zack

That's kinda harsh. I have a hard time finding incompetence or negligence on Mark's part. If Zack was on the small Xtralite, he was still legal. In any event, it's not the tug pilot's job to ensure glider pilots have appropriate weak links. As for Zack towing one point, do you think every tug pilot ...

Tad Eareckson wrote:And if it was the big Xtralight it would've been less than 0.81.

Tad,

According to:
http://www.delta-club-82.com/bible/45-hang-glider-xtralite.htm
The largest Xtralight has an MCOW of 206 kg or 454.15 lbs. That puts a weak link allowing 260 lbs towline at 0.57 times MCOW.

Zack

Tad, Previously you said Because the Bailey Release has such abysmal mechanical advantage the curved M111C pin doesn't rotate with much speed/force/energy but that straight pin WILL do some damage at a high tow load. Does this mean that for the same load a straight pin will rotate back with more ang...