What is an advantage of using a center-of-gravity (CG) hook for a winch tow compared with a nose hook?

• A. A greater percent of the line length can be used to reach altitude.
• B. Faster tow start.
• C. Less towline wear.
• D. Shorter overall tow duration.

Answer: (A)

Center-of-gravity tow points change where the tow force acts on the glider, which affects how the aircraft’s attitude responds as the line comes taut. When the tow line is attached at the CG, the pulling force produces less pitching moment and keeps the nose from lifting abruptly. That means the glider can stay more level and convert more of the towline’s energy into forward motion and climb rather than fighting a nose-up attitude. As a result, a larger portion of the towline length is effectively used to gain altitude rather than being spent correcting the aircraft’s attitude. With a nose hook, the force acts ahead of the CG, which tends to create a more pronounced nose-up tendency early in the tow, wasting some line length on attitude changes instead of climb. So the advantage is that more of the line length can be used to reach altitude.