While the use of new technology can be fun, sometimes it can also be
distracting, and
costs far exceed gains. How many ropes do your tuggies destroy a month in
the fence, and
what is the cost?
As a Tuggie I usually see and feel the glider release, and in a lot of cases
the glider pilot keys
his mic and says thanks, indicating his release, if the glider is so far out
of station that you can't
see him in the mirror 99% of the time you will feel that too, and you hope
the instructor would do
something before you have to. We use a wide angle mirror, great in flight,
not so great on the ground,
two mirrors would fix that.
One or two pilots like to trick you into not knowing when they have released
- they are quickly fixed,
charge them for the additional altitude that cuts down on repeat offences.
_____
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Michael
Shirley
Sent: Tuesday, 13 March 2007 12:08 PM
To: 'Discussion of issues relating to Soaring in Australia.'
Subject: RE: [Aus-soaring] Rear Vision Camera
Hi Derek
But only solves on of our two needs. Being certain the glider is off before
suddenly shutting the throttle and descending at 80 kts is more important.
Creating a tug upset causes the tuggy to guillotine the rope which is then
thrown in the garbage - $100!
Michael
_____
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Derek
Ruddock
Sent: Tuesday, 13 March 2007 11:48 AM
To: Discussion of issues relating to Soaring in Australia.
Subject: RE: [Aus-soaring] Rear Vision Camera
How about mounting a small magnet in the rope near the coloured marker to
trigger a reed relay or similar and operate a buzzer?
-----Original Message-----
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Michael
Shirley
Sent: Tuesday, 13 March 2007 11:34 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: [Aus-soaring] Rear Vision Camera
Lake Keepit is experimenting with an on board Tost rope recoil winch on our
eTug that eliminates loss of rings, eliminates risk of tug upset (tug has a
guillotine on the rope) reduces taxiing time, saving time and fuel. To speed
up "take up slack" we want to mount a small video camera on the tug release
bracket to see a colour marker on the rope (indicating rope nearly out) and
also to see the glider has released. eTug has the ability to descend
abruptly so safety demands certainty of glider release.
Most car and truck rear vision cameras have a wide angle view - 95 to 110
degrees. We need about 45 degrees - can anyone help source a robust water
resistant 12v video camera?
Michael Shirley
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