Auto Launching: Truck types, etc

On Jul 19, 10:19*am, Andy wrote:
On Jul 18, 7:21*pm, Scott Alexander
wrote:

Wouldn't the answer to truck type depend on what you intend to
launch?

In the old days an FAA ground launch rating was good for winch or auto
tow. *Have not checked on the new endorsement requirements since I'm
"grandfathered" for all launch types. *For practical purposes an auto
tow starts like aero tow and quickly transitions to being like a winch
launch.

For lake bed launches the popular wisdom seemed to be that the best
truck was one that was rented

Andy (GY)

I got my restriction removed in the old days at a winch clinic. 6
flights from
intro to flight test. Would I launch off a winch or ground tow
today? No way!
There's several good ground launch operations in the US these days.
Take
a vacation at one of them for a while and get the endorsement. My
understanding
is that it will take at least 20 launches to really be proficient. A
good alternate
would be to hire in a top ground launch instructor like Frank to run a
clinic
at your field. That way several of you can get up to speed on all the
aspects
of running the operation.

-- Matt

On Jul 19, 8:46*am, mattm wrote:
On Jul 19, 10:19*am, Andy wrote:





On Jul 18, 7:21*pm, Scott Alexander
wrote:

Wouldn't the answer to truck type depend on what you intend to
launch?

In the old days an FAA ground launch rating was good for winch or auto
tow. *Have not checked on the new endorsement requirements since I'm
"grandfathered" for all launch types. *For practical purposes an auto
tow starts like aero tow and quickly transitions to being like a winch
launch.

For lake bed launches the popular wisdom seemed to be that the best
truck was one that was rented

Andy (GY)

I got my restriction removed in the old days at a winch clinic. *6
flights from
intro to flight test. *Would I launch off a winch or ground tow
today? *No way!
There's several good ground launch operations in the US these days.
Take
a vacation at one of them for a while and get the endorsement. *My
understanding
is that it will take at least 20 launches to really be proficient. *A
good alternate
would be to hire in a top ground launch instructor like Frank to run a
clinic
at your field. *That way several of you can get up to speed on all the
aspects
of running the operation.

-- Matt

Matt,

I would say 20 launches for a total novice would leave them minimally
proficient - and, as you say, you need a good ground school to go with
that.