Re: New 29 Palms Winchfest Video

I'm really tempted not to answer but here goes anyway.

"tommytoyz" <tommytoyz@xxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:abd98e74-ff43-41ab-a472-a34c8878664d@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Bill,
I think the resistance your seeing is due to this:

Pilot Adjusted Airspeed
The acceptable airspeed range on a winch launch for any given wing
loading on practically any glider is fairly wide. Say +/- 30 knots. So
what then is the point of pushing and pulling to change the airspeed
for a few knots here and there, if it is even possible on some set
ups?

Because being at the optimum airspeed is both safer and results in higher
launches.

If the airspeed is in the acceptable range, there is no point to doing
this. It will only possibly confuse the winch driver creating a
negative feedback loop between pilot/driver actions.

If your winch driver get confused so easilly, maybe you need to find another
one.


Think about your statement:
"All you ask of the pilot is to control airspeed with pitch exactly
like it
is done in all other flight situations. In other words, "Just fly the
glider". What's complicated about that? "

I stand by that.

As has been reported here, different winch set ups react differently.
So you would need to fly and train differently for each set up. That's
not good.

The laws of physics are the same everywhere in the universe. Train to the
physics.


Also, as has been reported here, which you seem not to believe, is
that it is dangerous, such as breaking the weak link, say on a gust,
just as your pulling the most. Think about that situation.

Breaking a weak link is inconvenient, not dangerous. If you think it's
dangerous, maybe you need more training in emergencies.


All this just to control airspeed a few knots here and there?

It doesn't sound like a good practice to base standard practices on
and train people that way. If you want to do it yourself after much
experience, that's another matter. But it should not be taught this
way across the board. On some winch setups it might produce the exact
opposite effects for all anyone knows.

I say, train to the physics . That accomodates all differences. If you
train to some standard other than the basic physics, that is REALLY
dangerous.

Experimenting by experienced pilots is one thing, especially if you're
willing to get closer to the weak link breakage point that necessary
during launch. But it should not be standard practice, IMHO.

No one is experimenting, This is how it works.

Bill Daniels


.

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