"Just got back from the USUSA meet. Boy, that was a blast. Met a guy from your area who demonstrated your tow release - I'm impressed! Please send me a couple."

Ron Kenney
Region 6 Instructor

The light weight, low cost, sure fire, place anywhere,
Tow Release for Hang Gliders and Paragliders

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STATIC TOW SETUP
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Launch style discussed uses the Hewett Center-of-Mass Bridle
See other static line photos here

Place as MAIN release between bridle and towline. Place alternate backup either at the keel directly on the bridle or on the upper bridle line directly in front of the pilot. Backups like this are not really recommended for Hewett 2:1 bridles as pilot injury is possible when the bridle whips through the waist attachment ring. Your hook knife is the best option for a release failure (not that the Linknife is going to fail or anything, but no release in 100% foolproof. You might set it up wrong... who knows?). Static Line Towing with Hewett Bridle (illustration)

Add 6 inches of small shrink tubing (diagram below) to the pull string, snug against the Linknife, to prevent the Linknife from twisting around the weaklink. You can also customize the setup by mounting a small dog leash reel to your harness for the pull string. (Make sure you lock it before launching!)

A 4-strand weaklink will set up easily between the towline and the bridle. My personal favorite for a weaklink is 130-pound test braided dacron kite string, tied with a grapevine knot. Starting with 18-20 inches of string, this gives me a large enough loop to work while wearing gloves. Insert the first loop through the towline, then pass the 2 end loops through the Linknife above the O-ring as shown below. Place both loop ends in the rapid link. Don't forget to close the rapid link. See the Linknife Operation (takes 1 minute to load)

Placing shrink tubing on release pull string (Hewett Bridle)

An alternate PITCH LIMITER line can be attached to the glider's nose. See Opinion Page for more information on this concept.

Linknife Tow Release photo

COSTS:

Linknife — $20 each + shipping.
Club/dealer discounts available.

Bridles (aero or static), including Linknife,
rapid links and setup instructions — $50 each

ORDERING:

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US orders (Linknife single-order only)

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Other than US orders (Linknife only) drop me an email with your specifics for quantity and shipping method desired.

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Quantity orders of 10 or more Linknifes @ $15.00 each (add $10 shipping/insurance to US addresses for each 10 ordered)

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Bridles are made from red 900-pound heat set and stretched braided dacron with woven and hand-sewn loops in the ends. Kits include: Linknife release with extra O-ring, main 1:1 or 2:1 bridle, waist or shoulder bridle and connecting rapid links. Kits do not include the static tow waist bridle release mechanism (such as sailboat shackle) or release pull string as there are too many optional ways of setting this up. Custom bridles are available; please call or write with your specifications.

Static Line Tow Bridle (Hewett Center of Mass 2:1), or V-line (1:1 keel-to-pilot) Aerotow Bridle @ $50 each (plus $5.00 for ship/pkg) to US addresses. (Please add a note specifying which bridle you are ordering.)

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or send check to:
Birren Design Company
502 Shadywood Lane
Elk Grove, Illinois 60007
P: 847/640-0171
F: 847/640-0208
E: Email

DISCLAIMER: As with all aviation endeavors, your choice and use of equipment is totally up to you. It is assumed you are an experienced HG or PG tow pilot who is intimately familiar with the style of towing you will be doing. As such, YOU ASSUME ALL RISK AND LIABILITY in the use of the Linknife, as well as all other parts, functions and personnel involved in the towing and flight operations. If you do not have experience in towing, please contact an instructor for expert training. Trying to learn on your own can, and probably will, result in your injury and even death. Many pilots have paid the ultimate price so we may now tow as safely as never before possible. Please learn from their lessons.

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STATIC TOW SETUP
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