If you don't mind I will Hijack this part of the discussion........ :)
Garry refers to AD277 - I am currently attending the VSA Annual Inspectors
Course and during the course I have been surprised that personally I found 2
releases that had non standard main springs in them and both failed at least
one test (Tests 2 or 3).
I have also had the opportunity to use the NEW Hydraulic Tester and I am
pleased to tell you this piece of equipment represents a HUGE improvement
over the "Steal Stallion" tester we have been using for the past ? years.
For those who do not know the equipment the "Steal Stallion" is a spring
based tester and gets its name from the way it bucks when the release being
tested releases during AD 277 Test 1. The new Hydraulic Tester is smaller
and does the same job without all the bucking and noise associated with Test
1, as I understand it the shock is absorbed by the hydraulics. As I have
already said this represents a huge improvement in testing equipment and I
support Eugene's call recommending that each state association purchases
one.
SDF
-----Original Message-----
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Gary
Stevenson
Sent: Friday, 12 September 2008 12:10 AM
To: Discussion of issues relating to Soaring in Australia.
Subject: Re: [Aus-soaring] Low level aerobatics
"...2 tost premature releases...."
I guess it can happen, but it would be interesting to know when those
releases had last been tested, and exactly the condition they were in at the
time of the incidents.
No doubt you have read Eugene Blunt's article "Behind the Yellow Handle" in
the Sept 2008 edition of Soaring Australia, which gives a good overview of
Tost releases, and the proposed availability of a "new" tester. Eugene
refers to AD 277, which is THE essential document for checking and adjusting
Tost releases.
Your description "below 200 ft" could mean almost anything from 1ft to 199
ft, but no doubt the pilots followed approved procedure and landed straight
ahead (almost certainly on the strip?), without incident.
Depending on such factors as the power of the tug, weather conditions,
aerodrome layout, and the features of the surrounding countryside, an
aerotow cable break at 300' to 400' would no doubt prove to be much more
exciting.
However, none of our postees have to date reported such an incident.
Gary
----- Original Message -----
From: "Ben Jones" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "Discussion of issues relating to Soaring in Australia."
<[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, September 11, 2008 8:57 PM
Subject: Re: [Aus-soaring] Low level aerobatics
> I'm talking about low level aerotow cable breaks, I have no winch
> experience.
>
> In my 15ish years of gliding I have seen 3 LOW level real cable breaks,
> had the displeasure of experiencing a high level real cable break, and
> have seen (from the ground ) 2 tost premature releases below 200ft
> within a week of each other.
>
> If people say aerotow cable breaks or launch failures of any kind will
> never happen then politly walk away from them as they will influence
> your thinking and one day possibly help accelerate you death.
>
> 8-)
>
> Ben
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:aus-soaring-
>
> Ben,
> Although this thread started in a very different place, winch cable
> breaks
> (as opposed to aerotow cable breaks), -which I assume you are talking
> about - are a different kettle of fish entirely - for a start they occur
>
> quite routinely. Nevertheless, after 80 odd years the procedures to deal
>
> with a winch cable break are well documented, and work well if followed.
> Gary
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Ben Jones" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> To: "Discussion of issues relating to Soaring in Australia."
> <[email protected]>
> Sent: Thursday, September 11, 2008 7:00 PM
> Subject: Re: [Aus-soaring] Low level aerobatics
>
>
>> What ever happened to landing straight ahead within 30 Deg of the
> runway
>> centre line for a cable break simulated or not.
>>
>> Teaching students to whip a beast around after they have buggered
> around
>> and lost airspeed is fatal in my opinion.
>>
>> Ben
>>
>>
>>
>>>and you cant do that under 1000 feet.
>>
>> All bets are off if it is an emergency. You need to do what is safe
> and
>> appropriate.
>>
>
>
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>
>
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