TV Ad featuring Klaus Ohlmann and an Antares 23E

What? No anti-lock brakes on the VW?

On Thursday, September 29, 2016 at 4:03:45 PM UTC-4, Tom (TK) wrote:
https://youtu.be/5GTX6S8q7x8

No wing runner?

DC

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

At 15:43 30 September 2016, Dan Marotta wrote:
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...

Dan,

It is a commercial designed to get your heart rate up. I don't know
about the location altitude/power degradation difference, but I have
participated in many auto tow launches from Harris Hill in past
years. The pavement is listed on the sectional at 1,100' long, plus
there is some grass going down the hill. The elevation difference
might be 50' by the time one gets down to the last usable grass.

During one 15 Meter Nationals back in the early 1980's, we had
scrubbed a day that was having a late afternoon frontal passage.
I announced that I would auto tow any competitors into the ridge lift
(after the front passed) if a launch was desired. A number of
competitors took me up on the offer, quite a few of whom did not
yet have ground launch endorsements. I gave them the requisite
instruction needed, and used my 1978 Chevy station wagon with a
small 283 cubic inch V8 (no anti-lock brakes yet either). Dick
Johnson rode "shotgun" next to me, and we used a standard ~250'
aerotow rope. We must have made at least 10 successful auto
launches into the ridge lift that afternoon alone, and every one of
those pilots that I launched came up to thank me for the experience
afterwards.

It would appear to me that the VW commercial overly dramatizes
how little room there was left for the car to stop. So, if that is the
case, then might not a gravity launch be possible given a good stiff
headwind? I don't know for sure about that, but I am pretty certain
that there was a much larger than apparent safety margin while
filming the commercial than there appears in the final product.

RO

On Thursday, September 29, 2016 at 4:03:45 PM UTC-4, Tom (TK) wrote:
https://youtu.be/5GTX6S8q7x8

Well made video - no doubt!
I seem to remember an accident a few years ago during the making of a commercial which involved an auto-tow and a modern two-seat glider. Glad to see that his commercial shoot went over without a glitch.
Uli

On Friday, September 30, 2016 at 1:00:06 PM UTC-4, Michael Opitz wrote:
During one 15 Meter Nationals back in the early 1980's, we had
scrubbed a day that was having a late afternoon frontal passage.
I announced that I would auto tow any competitors into the ridge lift
(after the front passed) if a launch was desired. A number of
competitors took me up on the offer, quite a few of whom did not
yet have ground launch endorsements. I gave them the requisite
instruction needed, and used my 1978 Chevy station wagon with a
small 283 cubic inch V8 (no anti-lock brakes yet either). Dick
Johnson rode "shotgun" next to me, and we used a standard ~250'
aerotow rope. We must have made at least 10 successful auto
launches into the ridge lift that afternoon alone, and every one of
those pilots that I launched came up to thank me for the experience
afterwards.

Yep, thanks again for the launch ;-)
See ya, Dave

On Friday, September 30, 2016 at 12:42:04 PM UTC-5, AS wrote:
On Thursday, September 29, 2016 at 4:03:45 PM UTC-4, Tom (TK) wrote:
https://youtu.be/5GTX6S8q7x8

Well made video - no doubt!
I seem to remember an accident a few years ago during the making of a commercial which involved an auto-tow and a modern two-seat glider. Glad to see that his commercial shoot went over without a glitch.
Uli

Yes, it is almost 5 years ago that Lynn Weller died in his DG-1000. Do not want to open old wounds, it is a very sad story. I guess the case is still in courts and General Motors legal machine is running in overdrive.

In my opinion, stunts like this are a disservice to the entire glider community. I have a lot of respect for Klaus Ohlmann, but this makes me think. Likely the entire clip is virtual, like the Antares getting out of the hangar...

Ernst

At 17:42 30 September 2016, Dave Nadler wrote:
On Friday, September 30, 2016 at 1:00:06 PM UTC-4, Michael
Opitz wrote:
During one 15 Meter Nationals back in the early 1980's, we had
scrubbed a day that was having a late afternoon frontal
passage.
I announced that I would auto tow any competitors into the
ridge lift
(after the front passed) if a launch was desired. A number of
competitors took me up on the offer, quite a few of whom did
not
yet have ground launch endorsements. I gave them the
requisite
instruction needed, and used my 1978 Chevy station wagon
with a
small 283 cubic inch V8 (no anti-lock brakes yet either). Dick
Johnson rode "shotgun" next to me, and we used a standard
~250'
aerotow rope. We must have made at least 10 successful auto
launches into the ridge lift that afternoon alone, and every one
of
those pilots that I launched came up to thank me for the
experience
afterwards.

Yep, thanks again for the launch ;-)
See ya, Dave


YO,

That was a long time ago, but you are still welcome. I was glad to
do it, especially for those pilots who had not yet experienced
something like that.

RO

It might have been an aerotow if the VW went off the end - or
perhaps a winch launch if the VW rolled sideways after editing
the runway.

Fortunately no tow drivers were harmed.

Some studded tire manufacturer is scheming a winter
commercial as we speak.

Mike,

Thanks for that story about Harris Hill. Did any of the gliders you
launched land back on top or did they land in the valley?

I used to go on ground launch safari with my partner in our LS-6a using
a 1,000' rope. Each flight would be straight out with the partner
bringing the trailer and we'd switch off each day. What a great time it
was.

Dan

On 9/30/2016 10:52 AM, Michael Opitz wrote:
At 15:43 30 September 2016, Dan Marotta wrote:
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...
Dan,

It is a commercial designed to get your heart rate up. I don't know
about the location altitude/power degradation difference, but I have
participated in many auto tow launches from Harris Hill in past
years. The pavement is listed on the sectional at 1,100' long, plus
there is some grass going down the hill. The elevation difference
might be 50' by the time one gets down to the last usable grass.

During one 15 Meter Nationals back in the early 1980's, we had
scrubbed a day that was having a late afternoon frontal passage.
I announced that I would auto tow any competitors into the ridge lift
(after the front passed) if a launch was desired. A number of
competitors took me up on the offer, quite a few of whom did not
yet have ground launch endorsements. I gave them the requisite
instruction needed, and used my 1978 Chevy station wagon with a
small 283 cubic inch V8 (no anti-lock brakes yet either). Dick
Johnson rode "shotgun" next to me, and we used a standard ~250'
aerotow rope. We must have made at least 10 successful auto
launches into the ridge lift that afternoon alone, and every one of
those pilots that I launched came up to thank me for the experience
afterwards.

It would appear to me that the VW commercial overly dramatizes
how little room there was left for the car to stop. So, if that is the
case, then might not a gravity launch be possible given a good stiff
headwind? I don't know for sure about that, but I am pretty certain
that there was a much larger than apparent safety margin while
filming the commercial than there appears in the final product.

RO



--
Dan, 5J