At 18:22 22 March 2009, Willy VINKEN wrote:
Can anyone tell me more about how a Standard Cirrus handles when
winched?
We use a GMC V8 325 HP petrol engine with standard automatic gearbox.
No problems until now with K8, K6 and Astir Jeans.
I plan to fit my Cirrus with a CG hook. Cirruses imported to France
where all equipped with a nose hook.

Willy VINKEN OO-ZNY

As long as you don't get an overpowered winch launch it's fine. The
ailerons are slightly ineffective at low speed, so try to choose a fit
looking wing runner if you can. If it's one of the all-flying tailplane
versions, just hold the stick about two-thirds forward and leave it there
until you are established in the full climb. Just concentrate on keeping
the wings level and the glider running straight during the ground run and
rotation. If there is any chance of dropping a wingtip onto the ground,
pull off immediately. It will naturally rotate quite enthusiatically after
lift off, but avoid ramming the stick hard forward to contain this, as this
is what can stall the tailplane.

Don't try to winch launch on a nose hook, because it will give a very
poor launch, and there is no back release mechanism on a the type of nose
hook fitted to this type.

The Standard Cirrus doesn't have the best positioned shoulder strap
mountings, so make sure you do your safety harness up as tightly as
possible to avoid slipping back up the seat, due to the acceleration.

Derek Copeland