Re: New 29 Palms Winchfest Video

HoUdini wrote:
I sure wonder how an fairly innocent post such as immediately follows,
gets into the goofy furballs that tend to occupy rec.soaring. I can't
wait to see what my next post will bring! Look for it soon, it will
be very on the edge of our sport.

Speaking for myself, I watched the video and saw a succession of launches with right wing low. As wing low launching is something that, on my field, would earn you a talk with the duty instructor, I was unhappy with the description of this being a "best practices" event and said so.

Maybe in that locality its taught as good aero tow practice: I wouldn't know about that. I've never flown there. What I do know is that where I fly it is not good practice with either launch method.

Comment on launch speed. The rules we use are:
- after lift off, maintain a shallow climb until the ASI passes 50 kts
with steady acceleration.
- then and only then rotate slowly. The ideal is to complete rotation
not less than 5 seconds after lift off.
- we have a high torque, high inertia, fluid clutch winch. The pilot
cannot and should not attempt to control its speed except by
signalling the winch driver.
- if you're above Vwinch when the launch starts to flatten toward the
top (i.e. when the angle is below 35 degrees or so), release.
- if the speed drops toward 50 kts, lower the nose to maintain at least
50 kts and monitor the speed.
- if the speed picks up, resume the climb.
- if the nose approaches level and the speed doesn't rise, release.

My ASI is top and center in my panel - that's where I want it during launch and landing. The vario takes a lesser position because it never needs that degree of immediate attention and anyway I can listen to it.


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

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