Last week when we did the annual inspection on the tow plane, we added a link to the tow rope release handle so there is now a longer pull to release the tow hook. We also added a bungee to the handle to make it a little harder to pull the release. This should help stop the pre mature release and loss of the tow rope.
Denny wrote:
An idea concerning the c182’s towline release. During tow-pilot training 8-11-18, its noticed that the release lever will trigger at a very short pull from its forward stop. With small effort, the hook opens. (& Lever very close to elevator trim, and a wrist-hit might trigger after the glider has gone.)
Maybe a short rubber bungee ( similar to glider battery bungee) could be rigged to keep lever forward, against the stop?
Yes, ….some added pressure needed for the emergency release.