Bungee launching - why isn't it more popular - especially in the US Midwest?

[kirk.stant]

In the spirit of lively RAS discussions, I submit that the US gliding community needs to switch to hillside bungee launching - the benefits would be immense!

1. Launches would be essentially free (except for some sweat equity - but most US glider pilots could use the exercise...)

2. Good for the environment (except for some extra CO2 from the sweaty bungee crew).

3. It would provide an instant "shovel ready" infrastructure project - building all those hills next to flatland gliderports.

4. It would have a beneficial impact on the health of glider club members.

5. It would let more glider pilots share the fun of soaring, since the average flight time would be measured in single digit minutes, allowing greater use of club gliders.

6. Low altitude thermalling skills would be hugely improved!

I'm off to find a nice long bungee cord, our club's K13 already has the bungee nose hook installed! All I need now is a hill...

Kirk
66

(PS: Greased-board launches off a cliff are overlooked, too!)

[[email protected]]

On Wednesday, October 28, 2015 at 10:56:18 AM UTC-5, kirk.stant wrote:
> In the spirit of lively RAS discussions, I submit that the US gliding community needs to switch to hillside bungee launching - the benefits would be immense!
>
> 1. Launches would be essentially free (except for some sweat equity - but most US glider pilots could use the exercise...)
>
> 2. Good for the environment (except for some extra CO2 from the sweaty bungee crew).
>
> 3. It would provide an instant "shovel ready" infrastructure project - building all those hills next to flatland gliderports.
>
> 4. It would have a beneficial impact on the health of glider club members..
>
> 5. It would let more glider pilots share the fun of soaring, since the average flight time would be measured in single digit minutes, allowing greater use of club gliders.
>
> 6. Low altitude thermalling skills would be hugely improved!
>
> I'm off to find a nice long bungee cord, our club's K13 already has the bungee nose hook installed! All I need now is a hill...
>
> Kirk
> 66
>
> (PS: Greased-board launches off a cliff are overlooked, too!)

Kirk, leave it to us Chicagoans to provide an answer to your plight. Here in the burbs we have a former trash dump that has grown to about 300' over the years it was in use. Was then transformed into a methane producing enclosed heap with a power station at the base. There's your launch mountain, man! Nevermind that it's under the B-airspace, who cares.
41° 43.810' N 88° 4.925' W
I like your brilliant proposal, btw. The RC boys from oll over Chicagoland already use this thing for ridge soaring. To add to your well-made arguments: why not combine the immensely popular car-towing with a long bungee cord???!!!
Herb, J7

[Tim Newport-Peace[_2_]]

At 16:47 28 October 2015, wrote:
>On Wednesday, October 28, 2015 at 10:56:18 AM UTC-5, kirk.stant wrote:
>> In the spirit of lively RAS discussions, I submit that the US gliding
>com=
>munity needs to switch to hillside bungee launching - the benefits would
>be=
> immense!
>>=20
>> 1. Launches would be essentially free (except for some sweat equity -
>but=
> most US glider pilots could use the exercise...)
>>=20
>> 2. Good for the environment (except for some extra CO2 from the sweaty
>bu=
>ngee crew).
>>=20
>> 3. It would provide an instant "shovel ready" infrastructure project -
>bu=
>ilding all those hills next to flatland gliderports.=20
>>=20
>> 4. It would have a beneficial impact on the health of glider club
>members=
>..
>>=20
>> 5. It would let more glider pilots share the fun of soaring, since the
>av=
>erage flight time would be measured in single digit minutes, allowing
>great=
>er use of club gliders.
>>=20
>> 6. Low altitude thermalling skills would be hugely improved!
>>=20
>> I'm off to find a nice long bungee cord, our club's K13 already has the
>b=
>ungee nose hook installed! All I need now is a hill...
>>=20
>> Kirk
>> 66
>>=20
>> (PS: Greased-board launches off a cliff are overlooked, too!)
>
>Kirk, leave it to us Chicagoans to provide an answer to your plight.
Here
>=
>in the burbs we have a former trash dump that has grown to about 300'
over
>=
>the years it was in use. Was then transformed into a methane producing
>encl=
>osed heap with a power station at the base. There's your launch mountain,
>m=
>an! Nevermind that it's under the B-airspace, who cares.
>41=B0 43.810' N 88=B0 4.925' W
>I like your brilliant proposal, btw. The RC boys from oll over
Chicagoland
>=
>already use this thing for ridge soaring. To add to your well-made
>argument=
>s: why not combine the immensely popular car-towing with a long bungee
>cord=
>???!!!
>Herb, J7
>
Ah yes, Auto-Bunjy, done that.

Bungying is not free, 'cos of the cost and life of a Bungee.
(How many correct ways of spelling Bungy are there?)

Try contacting http://www.vintagegliderclub.org/ there is almost certain to
be lots of info on this classic launch method.

[kirk.stant]

On Wednesday, October 28, 2015 at 11:47:24 AM UTC-5, wrote:
> On Wednesday, October 28, 2015 at 10:56:18 AM UTC-5, kirk.stant wrote:
> > In the spirit of lively RAS discussions, I submit that the US gliding community needs to switch to hillside bungee launching - the benefits would be immense!
> >
> > 1. Launches would be essentially free (except for some sweat equity - but most US glider pilots could use the exercise...)
> >
> > 2. Good for the environment (except for some extra CO2 from the sweaty bungee crew).
> >
> > 3. It would provide an instant "shovel ready" infrastructure project - building all those hills next to flatland gliderports.
> >
> > 4. It would have a beneficial impact on the health of glider club members.
> >
> > 5. It would let more glider pilots share the fun of soaring, since the average flight time would be measured in single digit minutes, allowing greater use of club gliders.
> >
> > 6. Low altitude thermalling skills would be hugely improved!
> >
> > I'm off to find a nice long bungee cord, our club's K13 already has the bungee nose hook installed! All I need now is a hill...
> >
> > Kirk
> > 66
> >
> > (PS: Greased-board launches off a cliff are overlooked, too!)
>
> Kirk, leave it to us Chicagoans to provide an answer to your plight. Here in the burbs we have a former trash dump that has grown to about 300' over the years it was in use. Was then transformed into a methane producing enclosed heap with a power station at the base. There's your launch mountain, man! Nevermind that it's under the B-airspace, who cares.
> 41° 43.810' N 88° 4.925' W
> I like your brilliant proposal, btw. The RC boys from oll over Chicagoland already use this thing for ridge soaring. To add to your well-made arguments: why not combine the immensely popular car-towing with a long bungee cord???!!!
> Herb, J7

Herb, great idea! We have a perfect landfill site here at ,2054m/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en; perfect for a bungee launch with the option of landing at the racetrack (or getting away by the thermal from those dragsters and NASCAR racers), or landing on I-70 and Auto-towing back up to the bungee launch site! Awesome!

For the ultimate, use a car to tow a winch with a bungee attached at the end - you might have to disable the back-release, but think of the fun at the top of the launch!

Kirk
66

[Charlie M. (UH & 002 owner/pilot)]

On Wednesday, October 28, 2015 at 11:56:18 AM UTC-4, kirk.stant wrote:
> In the spirit of lively RAS discussions, I submit that the US gliding community needs to switch to hillside bungee launching - the benefits would be immense!
>
> 1. Launches would be essentially free (except for some sweat equity - but most US glider pilots could use the exercise...)
>
> 2. Good for the environment (except for some extra CO2 from the sweaty bungee crew).
>
> 3. It would provide an instant "shovel ready" infrastructure project - building all those hills next to flatland gliderports.
>
> 4. It would have a beneficial impact on the health of glider club members.
>
> 5. It would let more glider pilots share the fun of soaring, since the average flight time would be measured in single digit minutes, allowing greater use of club gliders.
>
> 6. Low altitude thermalling skills would be hugely improved!
>
> I'm off to find a nice long bungee cord, our club's K13 already has the bungee nose hook installed! All I need now is a hill...
>
> Kirk
> 66
>
> (PS: Greased-board launches off a cliff are overlooked, too!)

Why not bungee launch in front of a windmill farm (in the US)?, then you could dynamic soar from the tip vortexes from the blades.
Then, they're (the windmills) are not a total hazard, but sorta useful for something else?!?!?

/sarcasm........ ;-)

[I can appreciate why this thread started......]

Geez..... I can see the Fonz wanting to auto-launch in front of the Miami skyline so he can get a day of flying in........

[Frank Whiteley]

On Wednesday, October 28, 2015 at 9:56:18 AM UTC-6, kirk.stant wrote:
> In the spirit of lively RAS discussions, I submit that the US gliding community needs to switch to hillside bungee launching - the benefits would be immense!
>
> 1. Launches would be essentially free (except for some sweat equity - but most US glider pilots could use the exercise...)
>
> 2. Good for the environment (except for some extra CO2 from the sweaty bungee crew).
>
> 3. It would provide an instant "shovel ready" infrastructure project - building all those hills next to flatland gliderports.
>
> 4. It would have a beneficial impact on the health of glider club members.
>
> 5. It would let more glider pilots share the fun of soaring, since the average flight time would be measured in single digit minutes, allowing greater use of club gliders.
>
> 6. Low altitude thermalling skills would be hugely improved!
>
> I'm off to find a nice long bungee cord, our club's K13 already has the bungee nose hook installed! All I need now is a hill...
>
> Kirk
> 66
>
> (PS: Greased-board launches off a cliff are overlooked, too!)

Boone, Iowa would be my pick.

Frank Whiteley

[Sean Fidler]

Hilarious.

http://youtu.be/TAryFIuRxmQ

[[email protected]]

On Wednesday, October 28, 2015 at 8:25:38 PM UTC-5, Sean Fidler wrote:
> Hilarious.
>
> http://youtu.be/TAryFIuRxmQ

Better slow clap than no clap, Sean.

[WAVEGURU]

I figured it was only a matter of time before you guys gave each other the clap...

Boggs

[Jim White[_3_]]

Best of all

http://youtu.be/TAryFIuRxmQ

[Matt Herron Jr.]

On Wednesday, October 28, 2015 at 6:25:38 PM UTC-7, Sean Fidler wrote:
> Hilarious.
>
> http://youtu.be/TAryFIuRxmQ

I can see it's going to be a long, painful winter on RAS...

[Jim White[_3_]]

Twit...go here

https://youtu.be/_iuRQOnzDdc

sorry.

[Ron Gleason]

On Thursday, 29 October 2015 11:05:23 UTC-6, Jim White wrote:
> Twit...go here
>
> https://youtu.be/_iuRQOnzDdc
>
> sorry.

Another way to launch https://youtu.be/b_EjsgLXdb8?list=PLAAF96767897FAF7C

[kirk.stant]

Auto, winch, gravity - all in one vid:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOe6ljFkycE

Probably the worlds slowest glider winch, though ;^)

Kirk
66

[Muttley]

On Thursday, October 29, 2015 at 7:09:42 PM UTC, kirk.stant wrote:
> Auto, winch, gravity - all in one vid:
>
> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOe6ljFkycE
>
> Probably the worlds slowest glider winch, though ;^)
>
> Kirk
> 66

These are proper Bungee starts

https://youtu.be/Ukm8c47UoZA

[son_of_flubber]

Serious question. What are the chances of getting Bungee Launch training and endorsement at IVSM 2016 at Harris Hill next summer?

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?id=309403271547&story_fbid=10152155329571548

I think that bungee launch might capture the imagination of Juniors and of course they could provide the 'run downhill human power'.

[[email protected]]

On Monday, November 2, 2015 at 5:05:03 PM UTC-5, son_of_flubber wrote:
> Serious question. What are the chances of getting Bungee Launch training and endorsement at IVSM 2016 at Harris Hill next summer?
>
> https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?id=309403271547&story_fbid=10152155329571548
>
> I think that bungee launch might capture the imagination of Juniors and of course they could provide the 'run downhill human power'.

The geometry of the site at HH is not suitable for bungee launches unless one wants to crash in the scenic overlook.
UH

[son_of_flubber]

On Monday, November 2, 2015 at 5:19:40 PM UTC-5, wrote:

>
> The geometry of the site at HH is not suitable for bungee launches unless one wants to crash in the scenic overlook.

I was hoping that a bungee launch would clear the scenic overlook and put you 700 feet above the valley floor.

[Charlie M. (UH & 002 owner/pilot)]

On Monday, November 2, 2015 at 5:57:35 PM UTC-5, son_of_flubber wrote:
> On Monday, November 2, 2015 at 5:19:40 PM UTC-5, wrote:
>
> >
> > The geometry of the site at HH is not suitable for bungee launches unless one wants to crash in the scenic overlook.
>
> I was hoping that a bungee launch would clear the scenic overlook and put you 700 feet above the valley floor.

Thanksgiving weekend, downwind take-off (towards the valley), 1-26 behind a Pacer........ we were mid valley before the "cheering crowd" saw us visible again above the trees blocking their view.
Many years ago, there was a metal post near the brow of the hill @HHSC, it had a pulley for auto tows........ I never saw it used.
Frankly, (regardless of what I've done in the past), not quite sure I would do a bungee launch from there...... even in a very light sailplane.....

Ask Corky, Heinz (either one), Tim Welles, Dave Welles, etc. to see if they remember a bungee launch off HHSC.

[Peter Smith[_3_]]

On Monday, November 2, 2015 at 6:47:32 PM UTC-5, Charlie M. (UH & 002 owner/pilot) wrote:
> On Monday, November 2, 2015 at 5:57:35 PM UTC-5, son_of_flubber wrote:
> > On Monday, November 2, 2015 at 5:19:40 PM UTC-5, wrote:
> >
> > >
> > > The geometry of the site at HH is not suitable for bungee launches unless one wants to crash in the scenic overlook.
> >
> > I was hoping that a bungee launch would clear the scenic overlook and put you 700 feet above the valley floor.
>
> Thanksgiving weekend, downwind take-off (towards the valley), 1-26 behind a Pacer........ we were mid valley before the "cheering crowd" saw us visible again above the trees blocking their view.
> Many years ago, there was a metal post near the brow of the hill @HHSC, it had a pulley for auto tows........ I never saw it used.
> Frankly, (regardless of what I've done in the past), not quite sure I would do a bungee launch from there...... even in a very light sailplane.....
>
> Ask Corky, Heinz (either one), Tim Welles, Dave Welles, etc. to see if they remember a bungee launch off HHSC.

I vaguely remember watching an attempted bungee launch on Harris Hill during the 1946 Nats (I was 8 years old). It did not go well & the pilot was injured.That same year there were demonstrations of troop glider snatch pickups by C-47s. Contest launches in 1946 were by winch, the last time winches were used in U.S. national contests. In earlier Elmira contests before HH was developed, bungee launches were made from the Rhodes Farm, South Mountain, East Hill & a couple of other locations.