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Old August 15th 03, 01:09 PM
W.J. \(Bill\) Dean \(U.K.\).
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It is not unknown for the biggest and busiest clubs to do 15,000 winch
launches per annum.

Usually at these clubs both the driving and the maintenance are done by
employees. It costs so much if the winch is mechanically unreliable, the
driving is of low quality, or the launch rate is poor.

The better clubs have worked this out. This is why they are prepared to
pay for good production winches, good drivers, good maintenance and to
change the cable before it is worn out.

Compare the value of the gliders waiting for a launch with the value of the
equipment doing the launching.

W.J. (Bill) Dean (U.K.).
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"Bruce Greeff" wrote in message
...

Hi Bob

snip

As for the cost - the winch will probably be the best investment a club
ever makes. Ours has had minimal maintenance, never been overhauled and
still works adequately although it is getting due for an upgrade. Our
club has been sending pilots solo on this winch for 10 years - over
15,000 launches, no injuries. If we had been aerotowing the club would
have folded financially years ago. Because it is cheap we do a lot of
flying on marginal days and the club stays active, and members stay
current.