Les Ward wrote:
I am interested in getting a sailplane and wondering what are the
various ways to launch. I am aware of the traditional methods.
Example= Steep downhill runway? Maybe I had too much coffee this morning!!

This method ("roll-off"?) is used by some pilots with the lighter weight
gliders. There is a neat video some where, but I don't have the URL.
It's most practical on a hill where you have some wind to help with the
launch and can slope soar afterwards. Check out the hang glider sites.

I live on Kauai and there are no Gliders on this Island at present.
Alo9ha, Les

You should also consider bungey launching, which would be practical with
a lightweight gliders like the SparrowHawk, Russia, and few others. This
is also best done from a slope soaring site, and doesn't need the
"runway" the roll-off technique needs.

If you stick with Kauai, your soaring possibilities seem quite limited,
so maybe a hang glider might be a better choice than a sailplane. If
traveling to the other islands is acceptable, Oahu and Hawaii offer much
more soaring, and have glider operations. Some pilots are working on a
club on Hawaii, so having a partner in a glider there would allow more
and better soaring, and some camaraderie.

--
Change "netto" to "net" to email me directly

Eric Greenwell
Washington State
USA