KEEP IT ON THE LEVEL

 When initiating aero-tow, many pilots pull back stick at some point to get their glider off the ground. Not me. Here’s what we teach about that, and why.Whenever you’re anywhere near the earth it’s safest to have both fuselage and wings level with the surface (yes, windward wing low in a crosswind, but more than slightly low creates other problems). Tailwheels tend to come up automatically and skids and nose wheels do too, after which there’s still that sensitive phase of building speed prior to liftoff.If you’re impatient and try to pull the glider up you sacrifice the most efficient attitude for a higher angle of attack, adding drag at the most critical point while also relinquishing some degree of control. Instead, try doing nothing but holding level a few more seconds. If your bird has a nose wheel and you feel it softly bouncing, nudge back only enough to keep it off the ground and then wait for the miracle of flight to happen by itself. That way you’ll enter the sky in a stable attitude with minimum drag and maximum control.Occasionally you’ll be a couple feet up and something atmospheric puts you back down momentarily. Trying to hold it off with elevator may work, but why bother? The risk of overreacting is unnecessary. Doing nothing allows you to bounce right back up in the same efficient attitude. Simple and easy is almost always best. However……say it’s really hot and there’s no headwind (think density altitude). The takeoff roll may last an uncomfortably long time, but here too patience remains a virtue. Execute your liftoff the same way, then hold it level and down with steadily increasing forward pressure even as the towplane begins to climb. By staying in ground effect longer before transitioning to high tow position, you further reduce drag the tug must overcome, which ultimately gets both aircraft higher sooner. (Note: If you intend to use this last technique, be smart and mention it to tow pilots beforehand so they won’t think you’re unable to climb and cut you loose…)