Winch Launch - Fatal

On Fri, 09 Dec 2016 20:19:18 -0800, Bill.Daniels wrote:

Three, wing "runners" sometimes mishandle the situation. If they are
accustomed to aero tow, they will be surprised how quickly the tip must
be released.

Two additional points (which you may already do):

-train the wing runner to hold the tip from behind (NEVER with
fingers round the leading edge).

This makes it much less likely that the
wing runner can deflect the glider before letting go.

-teach wing runners to BALANCE the glider on its wheel, raising or
lowering the tip a bit to counter the forces generated by a cross-wind.
Done right, you need little more than a finger and thumb on either side
of the TE to keep the wing balanced despite gusts.

If the wing runner is forcing the wing level against a cross wind, then
a wing-drop is almost guaranteed when the tip is released.



--
martin@ | Martin Gregorie
gregorie. | Essex, UK
org |

On Saturday, December 10, 2016 at 5:27:54 AM UTC-7, Martin Gregorie wrote:
On Fri, 09 Dec 2016 20:19:18 -0800, Bill.Daniels wrote:

Three, wing "runners" sometimes mishandle the situation. If they are
accustomed to aero tow, they will be surprised how quickly the tip must
be released.

Two additional points (which you may already do):

-train the wing runner to hold the tip from behind (NEVER with
fingers round the leading edge).

This makes it much less likely that the
wing runner can deflect the glider before letting go.

-teach wing runners to BALANCE the glider on its wheel, raising or
lowering the tip a bit to counter the forces generated by a cross-wind.
Done right, you need little more than a finger and thumb on either side
of the TE to keep the wing balanced despite gusts.

If the wing runner is forcing the wing level against a cross wind, then
a wing-drop is almost guaranteed when the tip is released.



--
martin@ | Martin Gregorie
gregorie. | Essex, UK
org |

Yes, balancing the wing and never just "leveling" it is always a better method - for both winch and aero tow.