wrote in message
ups.com...

Is it safe to say that winch launching is an aerobatic maneuver, and
therefore requires very specific training techniques since the glider
is likely to be flown outside its design limits?

Absolutely not true. Winch launch and the associated maneuvers are well
within the design limits of any modern glider. Winch launch is not an
aerobatic maneuver.



Chris Reed wrote:
One of my favourite exercises for my annual checkouts as a UK Basic
Instructor is the spin off a simulated winch launch (only try this at
height with an appropriate instructor with you!). Simulate a winch
launch by diving to 90 kt and then pulling up at 45 degrees. As the
speed drops to about 60 kt cry "BANG - cable break", and push over into
the normal flying attitude. The moment normal attitude is reached, begin
a co-ordinated turn.

One of my favorites too but it needs to be understood that, in Chris Reed's
example, the glider is at a very high AOA and deeply stalled, or will be as
soon as 1G is re-established. The ASI will only be indicating 10 - 15
knots. Initiating a turn while in a deep stall will cause a wing drop and a
spin entry - no surprise here. This 'feels' normal only because of the
normal glide attitude. It is a variant of an accelerated stall.

This maneuver is for instructors so they can anticipate the results if a
student botches a wire break recovery. I've sometimes used it with student
to demonstrate WHY the nose needs to be well down and the airspeed seen to
be above best L/D and increasing before initiating a turn. In all cases,
this practice maneuver is done at a safe altitude.

To further explain, if a wire break occurs during the nose high part of a
winch launch, it's very likely that the best landing option is straight
ahead. When the glider is high enough that a turn is needed, the nose
attitude will be lower and the height AGL will be much greater.

Bill Daniels