One of the reasons the UK historically had a poor winch
launching safety record was that we copied German methods. In
particular, when we first had powerful German Tost winches we
were told to start with the stick hard back to contain the speed.
This led to a number of (usually fatal) flick spin accidents, so we
realised that this was not a good idea, as have the Germans. We
now start with the stick forward of centre and control the
rotation rate, and haven't had a flick spin accident for several
years.

Bill Daniels is the self styled US expert on winch launching, a
country where very little winch launching is done. He is busy
trying to re-invent the wheel and seems unwilling to learn from
European experience (not invented here syndrome).

Derek Copeland

At 13:55 10 October 2013, Andrew Henderson wrote:
Wow! I'm gob-smacked at your arrogance Bill!

I give a link to useful information that might help others decide
how they want to handle a winch launch and all you can do is
rant without any helpful advice or information whatsoever.

Why not try being helpful instead.


At 17:37 09 October 2013, Bill D wrote:
On Monday, October 7, 2013 5:33:57 AM UTC-6, Andrew
Henderson wrote:
Re winch launching. You guy's might like to check out the
very

useful Safe winching leaflet and associated information put
out by

the BGA after much thought and refinement of the
process's.
This

has resulted in a significant reduction in the number of

accidents/injury's in the UK from winch launching.




http://www.gliding.co.uk/bgainfo/saf...chlaunching.ht
m



Regards



Andy

Yes, a reduction in accidents to the point where you're now
only one order
of magnitude worse than the Germans instead of two.