AeroTowing How not to do it.
The day started out so well. Terry, Richard, Ian, Bill and Vic
all met up at the White Horse Field (our other club).
A full days aerotowing was on the agenda (well, until the pub opened).
First off was Terry's Flair Hunter, now out of all of the models expected
in bits that day this was it, but no, the Hunter flew superbly from the tow,
not very scale-like I would agree, but different.
Then came Ians Pirat a solid performer, everybody likes to tow
the Pirat and Ian had several good flights.
Bill Hatton was next up, (he was an aerotow virgin, but no more) Bill also
had several good flights with his Pik20.
What a great day, the weather was perfect for towing and gliding alike and we did not stop all morning until !!!!
Next came Vic Thomas and his brand new K8 built from the Mike Trew plan. There were a few teething troubles as we all poured over it checking out the c of g. and range check the radio, check control directions, all the usual stuff and all was set up just right.
As you can see from the picture Terry was nominated to fly the K8 and I was towing. (what a combination, some might say).
Picture left shows the first takeoff for the K8. It was flying
superbly and towing up a dream.
Unfortunately this is the first and last flying picture. (See below)
Everything was going so well, when out in front off us we could see another
White Horse club members small electric glider and turned to avoid him, soon
afterwards the Cub suddenly pointed its nose skyward, I hit the release instantly
and saw the K8 plummeting down with what appeared to be a folded wing. Concentrating
now on recovering the cub from its unintentional flight path I only heard
the sickening crash as the K8 hit the ground.
It transpires that we had mid-aired with another small electric glider, flying
close to the other one but tail facing directly towards us (those of you who
have aero-towed to a good height will know that gliders tend to disappear
at this angle) this glider must have effectively slid down the towline until
it hit the K8, both model's are probably right-off's, Terry and myself are
sick (why does it always happen to us??) Anyway the respective owners were
very philosophical about their recent loss and I guess that is how we should
be (its part of the game, and happens to all of us eventually).
The law of sod obviously was at work, what are the chances of that happening
again. (Mathematicians e-mail ricks-hangar). We hope Vic is not put off by
this sad incident and will rebuild the K8, still there is always your Rhonsperber
Vic, it wouldn't happen again honest!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
