Robert Armstrong 2 Posted February 12, 2015 Share Posted February 12, 2015 I understand that weak links (and swivels) are advised in aero tow lines. How weak? Anyone got any advice please. We lost a glider on tow at the club recently which could perhaps have survived if there had been a weak link. Does there need to be a weak link at both ends of the tow line or is it just at the glider end? I would think that one at the tug end might be useful as well, possibly not the same weight as the glider end weak link. Edited By Robert Armstrong 2 on 12/02/2015 16:05:52 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ultymate Posted February 12, 2015 Share Posted February 12, 2015 Hard to put a figure on the strength of the weak link it depend a lot on the size and weight of models involved. I would definitely recommend a release on both the tug and the glider and usually have the weak link at the tug end in case the trailing line gets snagged on final approaches Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Skilbeck Posted February 12, 2015 Share Posted February 12, 2015 I must admit I've never seen a weak link in the tow line, and don't have one in my tow line, but I do have a tow release on the tug as well as on the glider, that way the tug can dump the glider if the glider can't release. Like on this video at 20 seconds and 4min 20 seconds. At the aerotows they use the same line to tow everything from the 3m lightweights to the big 6m plus gliders, so what would be a weak link for a 3m glider wouldn't tow a 6m ship. Also have a look here and here for aerotow tips, but no details on weak links! Why would the glider in question have survived with a weak link? Edited By Frank Skilbeck on 12/02/2015 22:39:22 Edited By Frank Skilbeck on 12/02/2015 22:41:12 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reg shaw Posted February 12, 2015 Share Posted February 12, 2015 I don't use weak links at any end of the tow line. The essential thing is to have a strong reliable release at either end though. I've seen so many accidents when both the tug and glider cannot release only to find that the servos or the release itself is woefully inadequate. Fit an over the top release and servo and you'll always get away. Ian. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simon barr Posted February 13, 2015 Share Posted February 13, 2015 Yeah, I agree.. I don't use a weak link either. But the tugs do have decent servos on the releases, and I have never had a problem yet.. And I have had to dump a few "out of balance" gliders over the years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Meade Posted February 13, 2015 Share Posted February 13, 2015 Usually the weak links are there to save the tug if the tow line snatches in a fence etc on landing, and so should be a sized for the tug, not the glider. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Armstrong 2 Posted February 20, 2015 Author Share Posted February 20, 2015 So, how strong should the weak link be? Break at twice the weight of the tug? More or less? Any help appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martyn K Posted February 20, 2015 Share Posted February 20, 2015 Enjoyed that video - thanks Frank.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Meade Posted February 20, 2015 Share Posted February 20, 2015 Some good reading here for weak links FAA (for full size) seem to spec the weak links between 80% and 200% of the glider weight (from that link given above). Best bet would be to ask on the RCAerotowing forum, or ScaleSoaringUK for a definitive answer on this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Speedster Posted February 20, 2015 Share Posted February 20, 2015 In my Club we use a loop of 0,6 mm fishing line at the glider end. Perfekt for gliders up to around 4 meters, and have saved more than one glider As 1:25 in video And on the 3 meter Piper Pawnee tow plane we use a dobbel loop of the same, this will save the tug. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Armstrong 2 Posted February 23, 2015 Author Share Posted February 23, 2015 Thanks. Exactly the information I was looking for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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