It did not look to me like a gravity launch would have worked at the
airport in the commercial considering how close to the end of the runway
the glider released the rope and how hard (apparently) the car was
trying to pull. Still it was a heart-pounding video...

On 9/29/2016 7:00 PM, BravoMike wrote:
Gravity launches are a common and approved by aviation authorities method at the Bezmiechowa Gliderport in south-eastern Poland:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHWcXja9C1s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdHNRok6Dtk
etc.

I did it there in my (then) SZD-55 standard class modern ship, and could easily continue with an extended ridge flying. Great and costs next to nothing.

BravoMike

--
Dan, 5J