Just a quick clip. Sometimes the towplane and glider hit different air masses such that the tow rope can develop slack, hanging loosely between the aircraft.

The danger here is that if the rope gets pulled tight too quickly, it can break, at which point the glider and towplane have a bit of rope dangling from both.

If the glider is low, or too far from the field, then a landing back to the field cannot be done, and options need to be evaluated and followed to land somewhere else.

Fortunately the slack can be corrected by yawing the glider away from the loop, slowly pulling it tight, and then allowing the tension to pull the glider back into a good towing position.

Here you can see slack develop in the rope, at which point I yaw (not turn) the glider to the right, and then let the glider be pulled back straight again. At no time is the rope or either aircraft put under undue stress, and the flight continues.

I’m learning to fly at Rideau Valley Soaring, near Ottawa, in Eastern Ontario.

Please like or share my video. Thanks.

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