Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!hou3c!hocda!houxm!hogpc!4432jrm
From: 4432jrm@hogpc.UUCP (J.MASSI)
Newsgroups: net.aviation
Subject: Re: Never Turn Back (nf)
Message-ID: <455@hogpc.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 20-Sep-84 16:20:13 EDT
Article-I.D.: hogpc.455
Posted: Thu Sep 20 16:20:13 1984
Date-Received: Tue, 25-Sep-84 19:51:26 EDT
Lines: 56

A composite follow-up:

}3.  Pick a place to put it down - assume that the engine won't
}    start again.  Turning back to the runway is an acceptable
}    choice if altitude is CLEARLY ADEQUATE.  
}
}In gliders, the analogous situation is a towrope break, particularly
}during the early part of the tow, or any problem that affects the
}towplane.  In any situation where the towpilot has a loss of power
}or any other engine problem, they will wave the glider off, and then
}drop the rope, since the glider is always better equiped to deal with
}the emergency than the power plane.

}With sailplanes, once you have twoo hundred feet above
}the ground it is OK to turn back.  I suspect with a 150 you
}would want another 100 or 200 feet in height.

Rule number 3, "Pick a place to put it down...Turning back
...is an acceptable choice if altitude is CLEARLY
ADEQUATE," is appropriate for gliders as well as power
planes.  Although some texts on glider training imply
that 200 feet is a magic number, the truth is, like for
so many questions related to flying, "IT DEPENDS."
Yes, under most conditions a pilot should not consider
turning back to the runway if below 200 feet.  There are
circumstances under which it is unsafe to turn back even
though over 200 feet.  Wind speed and direction, rate of
climb of towplane and glider before the rope break or
release (i.e. altiude and distance from airport),
airspeed, and other factors may dictate an off-field
landing even though 200 feet have been gained.  It is
possible, though less likely, under SOME conditions to
safely return to the airport from less than 200 feet.  It
all depends upon the situation.  Don't be blinded by a
magic number,  FLY THE AIRPLANE!

I feel that it is a good idea to simulate the conditions
of an engine failure on departure at altitude, but
remember again that the altitude loss experienced at
altitude will not be a magic number.  It should be used
only as a guide.  Close to the ground things do not
always work out as they do at altitude.  A pilot a low
altitude has to deal with wind gradient, turbulence from
trees, buildings, and the nerves that come from a real
emergency.  

I too have experienced an actual tow emergency.  At about
200 feet (I don't know the exact number, I was too busy
to worry about the altimeter) I experienced a premature
release due to turbulence.  Judgement told me I could
return to the airport and my passenger and I did so
safely.  It was considerably more exciting than the
simulated (though very real) rope breaks I practiced with
my instructor.

Joe Massi, Comm. Glider ASEL, AIGI