"Bill Daniels" bildan@comcast-dot-net wrote in message
...

"Peter Dohm" wrote in message
.. .
"Bill Daniels" bildan@comcast-dot-net wrote in message
. ..


What liability issue? Everything is insured.

This is done throughout the world as well as in the USA. The glider
policy covers the occupants and the airfield policy covers the winch.
In fact, the insurance is much cheaper than for an airplane. Although
it is very exciting, it isn't particularly dangerous if done by well
trained pilots and winch operators.

Bill Daniels

First, let me confess that my total actual experience in a glider was a
single flight in a 2 seat Blanik and was launched by aero-tow.

That said, and just looking at the mechanics of the thing, I suspect that
a winch is probably the safest way to launch a glider--at least in an
area where you don't need the extra altitude that an aero-tow can
provide. So, where applicable, and with proberly trained pilots as you
pointed out, it should be an ideal way to incorporate gliders into a
Young Eagles program. It seems to have all of the best elements: (1)
just about as safe as it can get, (2) just about as cheap as it can get,
and (3) utterly fascinating for kids from 8 to 80!

It might revive chapters and entire airports.

Peter

The theoretical maximum height from a winch launch is half the initial
rope length. (4000' runway gets 2000' AGL) Most operations achieve at
least 40%. With most runways, this will be higher than auto tow. Of
course, if you have unlimited room like a huge dry lake, auto tow will get
you higher. Winch launches in Germany have reached 5400' AGL from a
10,000' runway.

That's actually better than I thought it would be. I was thinking of an
initial rope length of 3000 to 4000 feet, and presumed a height of 1000 to
1200 feet compared to around 2000 feet for aero tow. So, it looks like
winch launching could be quite competitive, even in very flat country,
except for the need to release over the airport.

Peter