Jay Scovill () writes:

I want to see if the tension gauge I am in the process of mounting does what I hope it will do, translate a higher tension tow prior to watching a new student begin a climb due to too much tension. When visually watching a student as they tow I must rely on backing off power when I see them begin to rise.

I am assuming that due to a torque change from the (actually pretty exotic Honda Elite) transmission the line tension can increase even though rpm, which is what an operator is normally going by (listening to the engine pitch), or an unruly head wind gust, there are tension increases going on for a second or two, unbeknownst to the scooter operator, prior to the moment when a low and slow student tow begins to rise (to a potentially scary or dangerous height). If I can back off my tow throttle as the tension increases instead of a knee jerk reaction to the glider rising after it has been under greater tension for possibly two or three seconds I can succeed in keeping my student on the same horizontal path in spite of unseen gusts or unheard torque changes from my transmission.

Once I have hooked up the tension gauge and seen this capability with my own eyes I will know that measuring tension is the alternative answer to the "need" for a small 50 cc scooter to tow beginning students. I can use one scooter and launch a hang 2 who is flying "touch and go" circuits around the field from a 300 foot pin off immediately after towing a newbie 1500 feet at only two feet off the ground in a Condor 330.

This is a huge advantage to me considering the mixed bag of learning curves out there in students and the number of hang 3 wanna be's roaming the earth these days.

Once I have seen that this fancy tension gauge can give me this information and successfully allow me to tow a newbie safely at two or three feet off the ground with accuracy then I will begin to look at the idea of an "auto pilot" control system.

Regarding the tension meter I ordered. It runs on a 9 volt battery in the field and has a cable mounted digital tension meter I can mount on the console of my scooter. The one I ordered is a hand held tension sensor I will actually mount on an extension arm just in front of the roller guide to my scooter reel. I also paid for a fancy metal carrying case to protect it while it is not in use. It takes thrity seconds to calibrate the gauge so I will easily be able to insure that the digital read out is accurate.

It is a German made gauge by Honigmann (took three weeks to get here). "Electromatic" the American seller of "Check line Instruments" www.check-line.com sells the unit locally. They call it a "Hand Held" Tension Sensor and it has a 0-300 pound tension capability with + one pound accuracy. It has three V-Grooved rollers 50/42 mm (OD/Root diameter) on a 350mm wide roller bracket for use on a threading pattern they designate as "F." The Item number is "1363-300LB3500S6"

The above gauge plugs in to a Digital Tension Indicator with a 3 digit display including a 3 meter cable, so it can mount on my console. It's item number with Check Line is: "136-3-CC". It's a good German product and looks really sturdy. Obviously it's designed to just be held in someone's hand.

The criticism I have heard about my idea is that the gauge will distract the scooter driver from watching the student but having been a professional singer for years in opera and concert series. I have never had a problem reading the most complex music while watching the director over the top of my music. It takes a bit of practice, but it is not a hard thing to learn. We'll see whether that training translates as well.

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