Weekend Flyin'

[Matthew]

If you are unsure as to whether or not you need a tow accelerator/assist, call SuperFly at (801) 255-9595. They also sell tow releases with built-in tow accelerators. There was an article in the mag last year, I think, about the dangers of not using a tow accelerator if your glider needs one.

Matthew

[mcelrah]

In our experience Monday a week ago, we hooked the tow bridle at or
near the 'biners and with Allen's new large Ozone DHV 1-2 glider, I
was unaware of the wing getting excessively behind me. At least
with light wind such as we had, seems like the tow operator could
modulate the speed of the take-up reel to prevent the wing getting
behind... - Hugh

[mcelrah]

In our experience Monday a week ago, we hooked the tow bridle at or
near the 'biners and with Allen's new large Ozone DHV 1-2 glider, I
was unaware of the wing getting excessively behind me. At least
with light wind such as we had, seems like the tow operator could
modulate the speed of the take-up reel to prevent the wing getting
behind... - Hugh

[Matthew]

Karen's DHV 1-2 Ozone glider does not need a tow accelerator. My DHV 1-2 Firebird Matrix does; it came with tow accelerators and info in the manual. Again, check your manual on towing procedures for your glider. And if it's not mentioned in your manual, call Superfly.

Just because you get away with something a few times doesn't mean that it's the safest way to do it or even safe for that matter. How hard is it to read your manual or make a phone call in order to make flying safer?

Matthew
PS Webmaster Mark, would you please move this thread to the PG Forum?

[Spark]

Karen's DHV 1-2 Ozone glider does not need a tow accelerator. My DHV 1-2 Firebird Matrix does; it came with tow accelerators and info in the manual. Again, check your manual on towing procedures for your glider. And if it's not mentioned in your manual, call Superfly.

Just because you get away with something a few times doesn't mean that it's the safest way to do it or even safe for that matter. How hard is it to read your manual or make a phone call in order to make flying safer?

Matthew
PS Webmaster Mark, would you please move this thread to the PG Forum?

[Spark]

...
Just because you get away with something a few times doesn't mean that it's the safest way to do it or even safe for that matter. How hard is it to read your manual or make a phone call in order to make flying safer?

Matthew

Sorry for thr repeat.

Matthew,

Thanks for the wisdom.

I read the Buzz manual in December. It doesn't need a 'tow accelerator'.

I have been reading everything I can find on this subject for the past two hours and and haven't seen anything that corroborates your implication that flying without one is inherently 'unsafe'.

So far, it seems like a good idea. Since the things actuate the speed system on the glider, they could also adversely impact safety, if not properly connected and used. I suspect that the releases are not all equal, and I'd like to evaluate them to determine which would suit my needs. I'd like learn more about them ... 'up close and personal'.

Would you be willing to show me yours, in action?

'Spark

[mcelrah]

Hmmm...I guess it's a good thing I didn't try it with my Firebird
Ignition. Manual? Don't got no stinkin' manual! Guess I should
complain to Dwayne... - Hugh

[Matthew]

Sparky,

We learned about the need for tow accelerators from Scotty Marion and the instructors at SuperFly. And it's in my manual. I'll call USHGA and find out the issue in the mag having the article about tow accelerators and safety.

Matthew

[Marcel Dettling]

Hugh, you can check on Gerard Florit's site http://www.para2000.info/wings/index.html for a manual. It contains information about all the wings that are out there.

However, there doesn't seem to be a manual available for your wing. I just looked it up because I had never heard about your wing, Firebird Ignition, before.

Anyway, my opinion is that you guys shouldn't fly with such old gliders. Maybe there isn't that much of a difference between an 8 year old hang glider and a current one. But for paragliders, there's a big difference. Newer wings are a lot more fun to fly, are a lot easier and safer to launch, have better handling, collapse recovery, and more performance.

I never understood why not one of the novice low airtime PG pilots took the opportunity and bought my P26.

Cheers,

Marcel

[Flying Lobster]

I've used the so-called accelerators for years with my students--they were developed primarily for older model slow gliders which had trouble coming over the top. Most modern gliders don't have that problem--and its pilot and tow operator skills that have much more to do with controlling the glider overhead. You can definitely get by without them most of the time. I may have an extra one with me if Sparky wants to buy one.

marc