Rohan Holtkamp at Dynamic Flight () writes:

You may not know I have been teaching hang gliding full time since 1990. I have taught more than 1150 students from beginner to the equivalent of US Hang 3 and above using towing, that's more than 12,000 student days.

I read with dismay about the promotion of low tows (scooter tows) as the first training flights. You recently describe first hand how minute errors become larger problems when low and slow on tow. Seen that movie.

Sure, with careful weather selection, good gear and an experienced instructor you may get better than 80% successful first flights as Steve does with low tows.

What would you say if I could guarantee 100% successful first flights whilst utilizing weather throughout the whole day?

The low slow on tow concept was ditched some seventeen years ago in Australia in favour of a moving flight trainer.

Tony Dennis built the first moving flight trainer, Larry Jones built the second, Gordon Marshall evolved the third and I evolved the fourth. Other flight trainers like mine are currently being built.

The moving flight trainer consists of a platform above which the glider is towed. Together, the platform and the glider are towed by the one vehicle. The glider is towed with the standard V bridle. The glider's flight envelope is restrained to 6ft high and 6ft either side of centre of the platform with a soft tether at each side. The instructor stands beside the student throughout each flight, verbally correcting grip, weight shift, body position, control input, focus and the like.

The student's flight control skills and confidence grow swiftly. There is no fear, running, carrying the glider or weather frustration. Instructor feedback is instant and flight times are as long/often as your runway, headwind and daylight permit.

Any afternoon of the year we can get five first day students at least 20 minutes of flying time each. This builds strong pitch and roll control skills plus it is easy and fun. The students are truly ready for grassy slopes and/or low tows on day two. The instructor is not worn out or frustrated. Now that's a win win!

The instructor's outlay is one quarter of that for a scooter tow system and condor glider.

Gordon Marshall has posted a video clip of his training trailer on your website before. For a truly safe and easy way to promote, teach and grow our sport, I urge you to review the video and consider promoting this training tool at least as much you promote the scooter tow tool.

I have promoted this system many times previously on the Oz Report. Readers can go and look at Gordon Marshall's pictures and videos. This is a great system for anyone with wide open spaces, lots and lots of wide open spaces (like Rohan's place, or Australia in general).

http://ozreport.com/6.046#7

http://www.ozreport.com/9.236#1

I pointed out the minor error that was made by a very experienced scooter tow operator (the student was two feet above the ground), to point out the fact that even the most professional instructor can make a mistake, and that keeping the student low and slow makes it so no damage is done.

Discuss Moving flight trainer at the Oz Report forum
   
 
 
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