Winch Launch Safety Study

Martin Gregorie wrote:
On Wed, 18 Mar 2009 10:15:07 +0000, John Roche-Kelly wrote:

2) stall during rotation, it is hard to know whether these are
elected rotation or automatic rotation

Note to any Libelle drivers out there who are thinking of trying winch
launching for the first time.

Libelles winch well provided the pilot has been given a proper briefing
by somebody who is familiar with winch launching them. However, with
incorrect technique they can snap-rotate at lift-off. There is nothing in
the owners manual about this.


The same is true for the Ka8. I haven't winched one for some time, but
still have the scars where my knuckles would hit the instrument panel
even on a normal speed launch start!