Andy wrote:
Graeme Cant wrote:

I must have only flown off traditional winches. My experience is the
same as Bill Daniels. What over-powered monster do you fly off?

I have flown off winches at 5 UK sites and 5 US sites (9 different
winches). I don't think any of them were over-powered monsters but
most had enough power to see this effect.

Please refer to "Gliding" by Derek Piggott, which was the standard UK
text when I started flying gliders. Page 80 of fourth edition -
"Unless the winch is seriously underpowered, steepening the climb will
result in an increase in launching speed".

Andy

Well, I speak only from my experience, not from a book, no matter how
eminent the author, and ... it's not MY experience. Clearly it's also
not Bill Daniels' and several others. I note what you say about your
experience and I'll learn from it.

As for Derek Piggott's experience, I recommend the 7th Edition where he
has modified his teaching somewhat and simply says (p.106, K&G edition)

"Steepening the climb MAY result in an increase in launch speed..." (my
emphasis).

Earlier on that page, however, he also says

"If the launch is too fast, for example, the glider pilot pulls back
more..." He seems to have revised his views between the 4th and 7th
Editions. That's the problem with citing authorities - they change
their mind without telling you!

My experience of winches (also on two continents - Snap!) tells me that
European winches are generally more serious and powerful than the ones
I'm used to. Nobody on this continent could afford a Skylaunch for
example and nothing like it exists in my area. Not many exist in the US
either judging by the fact that, like us, they appear to find the cost
of a European winch is about the same as a brace of good Pawnees.

Perhaps that explains why I said that "traditional winch" and "adequate
power" didn't go together. I also used the words "overpowered monster"
lightheartedly...

GC