Auto Tow Information

How long is your runway?

Mike Schumann

"Stefan" wrote in message
...
Mike Schumann wrote:

How long of a runway do you need for an effective / safe winch and/or
auto tow launch environment?

I can only talk for winch launch. Safety is not a problem. The problem is
that you must have enough height above the winch to reach a thermal. How
much this is depends on your site.

E.g. at our field, we usually reach about 300-350 metres AGL. This is
usually not enough for us, with few exceptions. 100 metres more would do
it. So we are stuck to aerotow.

Stefan

Mike Schumann wrote:

How long is your runway?

About 600 metres (2000 ft). The winch is placed beyond the runway end,
so this gives maybe about 100 metres more cable.

As I said, even with this short runway, safety is never an issue.
Reachable height is. So our winch launches are most for pattern work
with students, with few exceptions when the weather really fits.

(Actually, at our field, I consider winch launches much safer than
aerotows. I really wouldn't want to have a cable break at the runway
threshold on aerotow. Survivable, yes, but the glider would most
problably be trash. At the winch, simulated cable breaks are routinely
trained at all altitudes with no problem.)

Stefan

Your comment on safety is very interesting. A couple of weeks ago, our club
had a release right over the end of the runway due to the tow plane lossing
power. Everyone was OK, but the glider pilot didn't have a lot of options
and made the best of a bad situation. Unfortunately, on landing he hit a
fence, and our glider suffered some significant, but hopefully repairable
damage.

Mike Schumann

"Stefan" wrote in message
...
Mike Schumann wrote:

How long is your runway?

About 600 metres (2000 ft). The winch is placed beyond the runway end, so
this gives maybe about 100 metres more cable.

As I said, even with this short runway, safety is never an issue.
Reachable height is. So our winch launches are most for pattern work with
students, with few exceptions when the weather really fits.

(Actually, at our field, I consider winch launches much safer than
aerotows. I really wouldn't want to have a cable break at the runway
threshold on aerotow. Survivable, yes, but the glider would most problably
be trash. At the winch, simulated cable breaks are routinely trained at
all altitudes with no problem.)

Stefan