In article , "Adrian Jansen"
writes:

I was lucky enough to get a kite launch one day. We had about 35 Kts of
wind on the ground, and someone suggested we try a launch. An instructor
and I climbed into a Blanick L13, launched ( *very* short run ! ) and
climbed to 4300 ft still on the wire. Of course we needed the expert
cooperation of the winch driver, who eased off the power as we got about 500
ft, then payed out cable to let us climb. At the end, it was mostly the
weight of cable ( single strand high tensile steel wire ) which determined
the max height, although there wasnt much wire left on the drum.

Yessss, but!!

I suggest you now estimate the wing loading with 4300 ft of high tensile steel
plus the down pull of the winch. Because you cannot feel the "G" loading on a
winch does not mean it is not there and two effects occur.

1) Your stalling speed increases with the weight of cable dangling below you,
and,

2) the G loading increases by the weight of cable attached to your glider so
you MAY be far exceding your all up "weight".

Beware, whilst this may be great fun, you get much closer to the envelope
limits than you know.Care is needed.

Barney
UK