Hi Derek
While I agree Lycoming tow pilots have both problems, a water-cooled V8 has quite different requirements on glider release. The Lycoming needs care in cooling so horizontal, or very slight descent is required to build up speed - provides a margin of safety if the glider is in fact still on the rope. The V8 needs no cooling concerns (20 litres of coolant and a thermostat takes care of that), so immediate decent is desirable - saves fuel and time. 80 kts provides a safer look out and less of a surprise for circuit area glider pilots as the descent angle is very steep @ 80 kts, too steep at 105kts! So we want to be 150% certain the glider is off tow before the tuggy ceases the climb service! With a steep descent there is no room for uncertainty. Cheers Michael _____ From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Derek Ruddock Sent: Tuesday, 13 March 2007 12:17 PM To: Discussion of issues relating to Soaring in Australia. Subject: RE: [Aus-soaring] Rear Vision Camera I understand, however these are 2 issues faced by every towpilot, regardless of the presence of a tost reel Interesting that your descent profile is at 80 knots: Why is that? Is that a function of your engine or prop? We use 105 knots (and don't suddenly shut the throttle; being watercooled you don't have the problems of cylinder head cracking, unlike our Lycomings) Cheers Derek -----Original Message----- 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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