----- Original Message -----
From: "Pete Siddall" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Friday, April 20, 2001 12:47 PM
Subject: Re: [aus-soaring] Aero Tow Initial Climb
> >As for the difference in elevator drag and climb performance of the tug
with
> >high and low tow position: is there any published scientific evidence on
> >this or is it just "gut instinct"?
>
> I think can be justified using conservation of energy principles.
>
> If the sailplane climbs from low to high tow, it's converting some of (the
> combination's) kinetic energy to (its own) potential energy. That means
the
> tug has less airspeed and/or height than it would have if the glider
stayed
> in low tow.
I do not think that matters as in all take-offs, the glider is always in the
high tow as the glider leaves the ground before the tug, and in my opinion,
should remain there till a safe height is reached. My definition of a safe
height in a glider is one that allows me to get back to the field that I
departed from and that depends on the length of the strip and presence of
cross runways if any.
>
> Having said that, high tow, just above the slipstream, is not a really big
> difference from low tow, just below the slipstream. I'm sure nobody's
> advocating "too-high tow" where the glider is much higher than the tug...
> that's definitely dangerous.
>
I think you are correct too, but I would like to see some scientific
evidence to prove or disprove it. I have heard tuggies say that there a
difference but any difference should be measurable in this day and age.
PeterS
>
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