J3 Cub
Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 2.3; Flight Crew Total 615.5; Flight Crew Type 155
Situational Awareness
Conflict NMAC
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Aircraft; Human Factors; Procedure
Runways 6-24. Field has UNICOM only. My aircraft is not radio equipped. Winds had favored Runway 6 all day and traffic had been using this direction. Glider club; however; had set up to use 24; which is more convenient for them; although there was a tailwind of approx 5-6 KTS. As I taxied to Runway 6; I noticed that the glider and tug were off to the side and not yet ready to tow. (Runway 6 is the far end of the airport.) Following run-up; I cleared as usual and noted that the tug and glider at the far end still appeared to be stationary on the grass beside the paved runway. As I became airborne; however; I found that they were also taking off. At this point; an abort was not feasible. I kept my aircraft low and passed under them. I am not sure they ever saw me.
J3 Cub pilot reports taking off and discovering that a tow plane and glider are taking off opposite direction. The reporter who has no radio passes under the aircraft. The takeoff had been initiated believing that the glider and tow was not ready to go.