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Old March 18th 09, 08:19 AM posted to rec.aviation.soaring
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Default Winch Launch Safety Study

One final point from the article:

Only the winch operator/winch can ensure that the first seconds of the
launch are not in the red zone. The pilot can do absolutely nothing if
the winch catapults the glider into the air in a manner that exceeds
the elevator authority and the maximum angle of attack is exceeded at
50 feet in 2 seconds or less. If that happens, rare as it has
occurred, it has always been fatal. A tension controlled winch would
not do this..........ditto if the launch is too strong, causing a rope
break or weak link break............