On Friday, September 30, 2016 at 11:32:34 AM UTC+13, kirk.stant wrote:
On Thursday, September 29, 2016 at 4:06:56 PM UTC-5, Tony wrote:
Fun, but seeing the VW get the glider airborne while going UP the hill would be more impressive!

For that matter, the Antares could have probably rolled down the hill and taken off on it's own...

According to https://skyvector.com/airport/LFLJ/Courchevel-Airport there is a difference of 212 ft between the ends. I'm not sure that's reliable. Other sources say the length is 537m with a gradient of 18.5 or 18.6. If I understand what "gradient" means in this context, then that's a 99 m height difference (325 ft).

Without friction loses, a 212 ft drop is good for 69 knots from a standing start. 325 ft is good for 85 knots. With friction ... I don't know. Probably more than stall speed anyway.