Boxing the Wake

Lesson Objective

The lesson will allow the student to demonstrate manuvering behind the tow plane to different established positiong with regard to the tow plane's wake.  The maneuvers will be done in a fashion that is described by the FAA's Practical Test Standards

Regulatory Requirement

• §61.87(i)(12)
• Private Pilot Practical Test Standard IV(E)

Content

• Positions of the glider behind the towplane
• High and Low-tow positions (also see lesson plan 3a -- Hi-Low Tow Transition
  
• Low-left, low-right, high-right, high-left

Procedure

• There is no rush for this procedure. It is more important to take your time and get to all of the points on tow in a controlled and precise manner. 
  
• Before starting, as a courtesy, call the tow-plane on the radio, "90866, this is 341 Kilo-Sierra, we're going to box the wake"
• Wait until the towplane has begun straight and level flight.
  
• Perform transition through the wake into low tow position.
  
• Proceed to low left tow position.  Hold for three seconds. 
• Proceed to high left tow position. Hold this position for at least three seconds.
  
• Proceed to high right tow position. Hold for three seconds.
  
• Proceed to low right tow position. Hold for three seconds.
• Proceed to center low tow position. Hold for three seconds.
  
• Return to normal high tow position, going back through the wake.
  

Completion Standards

1. Exhibit knowledge of the elements related to boxing the wake (maneuvering around the wake).
2. Maneuver the glider, while on tow, slightly outside the towplane’s wake in a rectangular, box-like pattern.
3. Maintain proper control and coordination.

Prerequisite Study

• Glider Flying Manual -- "Boxing the Wake" page 7-10.
  
  • Although note that Figure 7-12 can be misleading.  High tow is where the towplane is lined up with the horizon.  There is no horizon on this figure.

Hints

• You have reached low tow position when the horizontal stabilizer appears to cut through the rear-view mirror on the tow plane.
• You have gone out far enough to the side when the tail-wheel and the main wheel line up.
• A common error is to not maintain the  horizontal position when moving from low-left to high-left and vice-versa.  Give a little bank to prevent getting pulled back to the center

The Skyline Soaring Training Syllabus by The Skyline Soaring Club is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 United States License. Permissions beyond the scope of this license may be available at http://skylinesoaring.org/ABOUT/.