This year's hang gliding aerotowing clinic was a success having brought Rob, Geoffrey, and Pete, up to speed with towing their hang gliders behind the microlights supplied by Airborne.

Here's Bianca having a refresher tandem hang gliding flight, via aerotowing, at Tumut.

 

 

HERE ARE SOME TIPS THAT THE THREE AEROTOWING STUDENTS REALLY APPRECIATED ABOUT THE LEARNING "PROGRESSION and PROCESS":

1) Take a tandem aerotow with a qualified instructor, in a glider that has a built-on landing/take off carriage!

-The tandem flight truly breaks the ice, and allows the student to see what is "in, and out, of position" when towing behind the tug.

It is SENSORY OVERLOAD for most students who attempt aerotowing for their time, SOLO. -forget about coaching over the radio! When a "general aviation" pilot gets checked off in a new aircraft he/she flies tandem, and does not rely on coaching broadcasted into a headset!

-The fixed landing gear simplifies things, minimizes the risk of two people having to run on a landing -This is the proven instruction method for all of the major aerotowing parks of the USA. There aren't many instructors offering this, but I'm a big believer in it, having seen the results at the various air parks that I've flown with.

2) Next solo, on a SINGLE-SURFACE glider, behind a SLOW tug in SMOOTH AIR. All of these aspects are crucial.

-so many times I hear of pilots "giving it a go" on their imtermediate or advanced gliders that they "know so well". Not so, when it comes to aerotowning. The glider will fly completlely different, and you'll gain solid progress by taking the time to break the experience into a calculated process. The "tortouise wins the race" here. If you can build up your aerotowing experiences, without scaring yourself, you'll gain the confidence and foundation needed for the next step....

3) Then, it's time tow the single-surface in bumpy air.

Yes, a slow tug (tow plane) is still required. Remember, there is a good reason why the Moyes Dragonfly was designed and created: JUST for towing hang gliders! -slowly!

A trike with a single-surface wing (Airborne Wizard) and a light weight 2 stroke engine (Rotax 582) can also do the job fine.

 

4) Next is the intermediate or advanced wing in SMOOTH AIR.

At this stage, you'll be able to move to a faster tow plane.

5) And finally, if all is going well, it's time to tow the fast wing in bumpy air.

ALSO, some other hints....

1) Always remember that you may release, whenever you'd like. -If the glider is not responding to your control inputs, release and you're simply back to flying a hang glider in "free-flight".

2) Be sure to constantly make the small corrections needed to stay perfectly in-line with the tug. Often pilots are hesitant to make a needed adjustment because the tow, even though slightly out-of-line, seems to be going ok.....

Make the correction, while it's still easy to fix.

3) Get assistance from an instructor, safety officer, or duty pilot

4) And there's MORE tips......! (maybe another blog....or clinic)

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Here's Bianca again: this time I've got her on refreshing her skills while hanging in the upright position (used for landings). She's was stoked to get back into the air after 18 months off.