The spiral that I measured was down all the way until entry into circuit
(there was no gain of height after release) and on all the loops the
windspeed was consistent with 13 kts. The speed up the launch was
remarkably constant and too low for a safe launch without the headwind
mentioned.

Larry

Bob Korves wrote:
"Larry Bogan" wrote in message
...

I was interested in the 3600 ft gain on the winch launch flown by Elke
in the Ka8 so I analyzed the igc file.

As it turns out there was a 13 kt headwind during the launch. (This can
be determined by the circling done after the launch). The maximum angle
of climb was never over 40 deg (relative to the air) and his airspeed
was mostly in the high 40 knots but never getting to 50 knots.


The wind could very easily have been calm at the surface and 13 knots at the
1100 meter release altitude. That would be consistent with both the ground
observer's report and the logger trace.
-Bob