"Brad" wrote in message
...
While a winch may be a "win-win-win-win" scenario, as a
practical matter it is difficult to implement at many sites in the US.

Marc-

Some of the members in our club are looking at winch launching. I
suspect that they will come to the same conclusions. "Cheap" tows that
a winch offer is really a matter of perspective.

We did some double towing a few years ago and got quite good at it.
Typical double tows were for 15+ mile treks to the mountains to
connect with the lift. Our double tow fee structure made it
"economical" to do and we were rewarded with long flights and awesome
forays into the Cascade Mountains.

The winch.................well, it ain't gonna do it.

Brad

No one says winches will totally replace aero tows which will always have a
place in the situation you describe. There are places where any soaring is
miles away from the airfield. Only an aero tow will get you there.

But your situation won't save the sport, nor is it really typical. Most
sites have local soaring - having been located there because of that. It is
really not difficult to soar away from a winch launch. When attempting to
soar, my lifetime average is better than 80%. If you don't happen to
connect with lift, another launch is cheap and quick.

It can be difficult to implement winch launch at sites selected for aero tow
and that is a challenge. But it's a challenge we have to meet and win.
Our sport may well depend on it.

Aero tow costs are increasing dramatically. You have to ask if those "long
tow" site will be there much longer.

Bill Daniels