Once the tow plane and the glider are ready to go, they are
connected with a 200 -foot-long nylon rope, and when both
pilots are ready the signal is given and a wing runner levels
the wings of the glider, holding them level as the tow plane
gains speed. In practically no time at all, the wing runner
is left behind and now, with the air moving over the wings,
the glider lifts off of the runway. A few moments later the
tow plane lifts off and together they climb, the glider pilot
making minute adjustments with the stick and rudder ped-
als in order to stay directly behind the tow plane. Although
it looks easy enough from the ground, it is often the most
challenging part of a flight. Strong winds and updrafts and
downdrafts do their best to knock the glider out of position,
challenging the glider pilot's skills and, sometimes, the tow
pilot's ner ves.
When they reach an altitude of about three thousand feet
above the ground, the glider pilot releases the tow rope by
pulling a yellow handle in the cockpit. As the rope falls away
the glider banks and turns to the right and the tow plane
turns to the left, ensuring a safe distance between the two
of them. The tow pilot then heads back to the airport for
his next tow, and the glider pilots begins his never-ending
search for lift.
The only thing that a glider can do is go down, so in order
By Rick Hackett
with photos by Jeffrey Mattice
