Using Plasma Rope For Winch Tows

The Van Gelder http://www.proximedia.com/local/neth...el/various.htm is built in units of 2, 4, 6, or 8 drums and can be on a truck or as a trailer.

I have not seen the version mounted on a truck, all the ones I have seen were trailers and were 6 drum; this includes the one at Dunstable with which I have had many launches.

If you have a winch mounted on a truck (I have seen other winches on a truck, e.g. the Tost winches at Lasham) then you have to buy a truck as well, and if the truck has problems or needs work then the winch is out of service as well. Winch maintenance when on a truck tends to be more difficult because access is more difficult.

I think the best layout is a trailer winch which can be towed on the public road and on the field by any decent SUV or reasonably sized car. The Skylaunch has done a demonstration tour of Germany like this, the trailer Van Gelder and the Supercat would have to go on a low loader truck or be towed by a large vehicle. Note that the Air Training Corps http://www.621vgs.co.uk/works.htm use a Bedford 4 Tonner (probably 4-wheel drive), all very well for them, the taxpayer pays for it!

W.J. (Bill) Dean (U.K.).
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"Bill Daniels" wrote in message ...

"W.J. (Bill) Dean (U.K.)." wrote in message ...
The Van Gelder was a superb winch when it first arrived in the U.K., but the reference winch today is the Skylaunch http://www.skylaunchuk.com/ . I have done many launches in solo gliders and in two-seaters by both winches, and I prefer the Skylaunch. I have no commercial interest in that company.

The reference you gave is to 621VGS, which is an Air Training Corps squadron, and therefore part of the Royal Air Force. Their equipment is bought and maintained by the taxpayer, and their economics are rather different from the civilian clubs.

Note that the Van Gelder needs a substantial vehicle to tow it, the Skylaunch can be towed on the road by any reasonable SUV. The Midland Gliding Club have a Skylaunch which is towed round our rough airfield by a Range Rover.

W.J. (Bill) Dean (U.K.).
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Bill, would you expand on the reasons for your preference for the Skylaunch winch?

Aren't most of the Van Gelder winches mounted on trucks so the towing issue is moot?

Bill Daniels