Am Montag, 5. Oktober 2015 06:57:33 UTC+2 schrieb Sean Fidler:
I had an interesting conversation with a pal about auto-tow glider launching method recently. It seems academic really.

When cost is considered, auto-towing has to be far more affordable than even winching. Maybe $1.50 per tow, max? In aviation, the cost is always critical. Especially in gliding club environments. Aerotows are $30-50 per tow. Winches are extremely expensive to purchase, to maintain, and insure and require skilled operators.

Winches can be homebuilt.
They are not expensive to maintain.
At least in Europe, they are not expensive to insure.
In most European clubs (maybe except Southern France), most club members are trained to operate a winch, and do so based on a rooster schedule.

So why exactly do you want to replace them with a car screaming down the runway?

Bert
TW