For a winch tow, which is an advantage of using the CG hook over the nose hook?

For a winch tow, which is an advantage of using the CG hook over the nose hook?

• A. Glider is less likely to pitch up if the towline breaks.
• B. Towline is easier to release.
• C. Tow line is less likely to break.
• D. Glider gains speed more quickly.

Answer: (A)

The key idea is how the tow force acts relative to the glider’s center of gravity. When the towline is attached at the center of gravity, the pull during tow and any sudden change in tension (like a line break) produces a much smaller pitching moment about the CG. If the line were attached ahead of the CG (nose hook), a break or sudden slack could create a larger nose-up moment, making the glider pitch up more readily. So with the CG hook, the glider remains more stable and is less likely to pitch up if the towline breaks. The other options aren’t directly tied to the hook position: release ease, line break probability, or the speed gained during tow depend on other factors, not this attachment point.

The key idea is how the tow force acts relative to the glider’s center of gravity. When the towline is attached at the center of gravity, the pull during tow and any sudden change in tension (like a line break) produces a much smaller pitching moment about the CG. If the line were attached ahead of the CG (nose hook), a break or sudden slack could create a larger nose-up moment, making the glider pitch up more readily. So with the CG hook, the glider remains more stable and is less likely to pitch up if the towline breaks. The other options aren’t directly tied to the hook position: release ease, line break probability, or the speed gained during tow depend on other factors, not this attachment point.