Winch Way Is Up !!

Chris Nicholas wrote in message ...
I have only just found the posting with the link to pictures of the
Permian Soaring winch [
http://www.permiansoaring.us/ ] and was a bit concerned that there is
apparently no guillotine, to be able to sever the cable in the event of
a hang-up at the glider end. Is there one and it is just not visible?
If not, what is the emergency procedure to ditich the cable?

I am looking for a dependable way to cut Plasma rope. A guillotine
will be installed as soon as this question is answered. Any ideas
would be appreciated.

There has been one fatality that I know of in the UK (maybe more) when
the release hook on the glider failed to operate and the glider flew in
an arc pivoting round the winch until it hit the ground. There have
been escapes where the cable wrapped round the axle or caught in some
other part of the glider (e.g. diving under the cable and getting it
over a wing, when there was a power failure or whatever) and the
guillotine saved it from being a disaster.

Did the operators pick up from experienced winch users how best to set
up the cable - hosepipe, weak links, swivels etc.?

We used what information was available to us. Derek Piggot's book
on winch launching is a must read. Proper setups are very important.
Sadly, they are not widely understood or perhaps respected in the
USA. I had one very well respected sailplane supplier ask me.
" Why do you want to use color coded tost links, let me sell you
some certified rope" Been there done that rope no worky. At least
not as dependable as necessary. He did sell me what I wanted and
guess what no more weak link breaks.
The USA is just having a little trouble getting up to speed on
winch launching. Thankfully we do not have to invent this wheel
just learn from those who have gone before us.



Are swivels necessary and/or beneficial with the synthetic cable?

No swivels needed with hollow braided ropes.

Is the winch earthed before use?

Static? That's new to me. Thanks-

Not trying to teach grandmother to suck eggs, but anyone starting up use
of a winch needs to find a lot of know-how from others - or learn it the
hard way. My club started using winches again after a long gap, would
not pick up expertise from others, and had some hard lessons,
fortunately without major accidents but certainly with some near misses.
Like the guy who had a huge electric shock getting down from the cab one
day and then realised why there was an earthing (grounding) spike
provided.

Good advice my winch launching friend.

Craig-
Chris N.

Craig Freeman wrote:

I am looking for a dependable way to cut Plasma rope. A guillotine
will be installed as soon as this question is answered. Any ideas
would be appreciated.

You may want to have a look at
http://www.aec-landau.de/projekte/PE-Seil/vortrag.htm

They have modified their winch to cut their PE cable. You find the email
address of the author at the end of that page.
Eggert

Eggert --

You've been such a graet help to us I hate to ask one more favor, but
could you translate these pages for us poor old igorant cowboys?

Computer translations are hilarious.

Thanks,

Boob Johnson

Eggert Ehmke wrote:

Craig Freeman wrote:

I am looking for a dependable way to cut Plasma rope. A guillotine
will be installed as soon as this question is answered. Any ideas
would be appreciated.

You may want to have a look at
http://www.aec-landau.de/projekte/PE-Seil/vortrag.htm

They have modified their winch to cut their PE cable. You find the email
address of the author at the end of that page.
Eggert

Bob Johnson wrote in message ...
Eggert --

You've been such a graet help to us I hate to ask one more favor, but
could you translate these pages for us poor old igorant cowboys?

Computer translations are hilarious.

Thanks,

Boob Johnson

Eggert Ehmke wrote:

Craig Freeman wrote:

I am looking for a dependable way to cut Plasma rope. A guillotine
will be installed as soon as this question is answered. Any ideas
would be appreciated.

You may want to have a look at
http://www.aec-landau.de/projekte/PE-Seil/vortrag.htm

They have modified their winch to cut their PE cable. You find the email
address of the author at the end of that page.
Eggert



I very quickly looked for the cutting method:

Seems to me they converted their Guilutine to have a Brass Anvil on
which a cutting device will cut the Cord/rope, Like an axe or
similar. Guess more direct rather than shearing?

Dieter

soarski wrote:

I very quickly looked for the cutting method:

Seems to me they converted their Guilutine to have a Brass Anvil on
which a cutting device will cut the Cord/rope, Like an axe or
similar. Guess more direct rather than shearing?

That's my understanding too. I can try to translate the complete article,
but this will take some time.

Eggert

"Eggert Ehmke" wrote in message
...
soarski wrote:

I very quickly looked for the cutting method:

Seems to me they converted their Guilutine to have a Brass Anvil on
which a cutting device will cut the Cord/rope, Like an axe or
similar. Guess more direct rather than shearing?

That's my understanding too. I can try to translate the complete article,
but this will take some time.

Eggert

During rope break training, has the 'float' of spectra been an issue? In
our limited used of 1000ft of spectra on the end of the steel wire, it was
seen to float in a large arc after release. This hang time might be
problematic in the event of an actual break.

Frank Whiteley