New 29 Palms Winchfest Video

At 13:36 17 December 2007, Del C wrote:
Hi Bill,

With our Chevy big block powered Tost winches at Lasham,
you cannot slow down by pulling back - if anything
it has the opposite effect and risks breaking the weak
link. Easing forwards also makes you go faster, so
the only way to slow down is to signal to the winch
driver by wagging the tail with the rudder.

However we tried out a Skylaunch 2 winch for one day
last week with a very similar engine and gearbox, but
with a sophisticated throttle stop system. With that
I could control the speed from the glider, at least
in a K21, by about 5 knots either side of the mean
speed, which was ideal anyway. Maybe this is because
you are being supplied with just the right amount of
power. Unfortunately I didn't get a chance to try this
out with a lighter glider.

Derek Copeland

Derek,

The Skylaunch system works just as well for very light
gliders and it beats me why other designers have not
copied the elegant simplicity and effectiveness of
the concept of using the progressive torque characterstics
of the GM V8 spark ignition engine combined with properly
researched throttle limitation.

When our club had a Skylaunch for a trial I drove it
under the supervision of their super-experienced winch
man, Pete Salisbury. To my surprise the K8 pilots
were just as complimentary about the suitability and
controllability of their launches as were the pilots
of heavier gliders.

John Galloway