Winch Launch Safety Study

Interesting. In the UK the accident statistics confirm that there are more
serious injuries/fatalities/damaged gliders per 100000 launches by winch
than by aerotow!

Automatic transmissions would provide constant torque rather than tension
or speed. And then only at a fixed throttle setting.

The predominant accidents with winches are 1) wing drop during ground run;
pilots must release before the wing touches the ground 2) stall during
rotation, it is hard to know whether these are elected rotation or
automatic rotation 3) power loss below 100' and inappropriate pilot
response and 4) power loss mid launch.

Mechanical or electrical devices to maintain torque, speed or tension are
all very well in their place but there is no unique solution as different
conditions apply at different parts of the launch. There is no substitute
for pilot and winch driver training and awareness.

I recommend that all UK pilots read the annual BGA report on glider
accidents and that they promote the training initiatives from the BGA
which appear to be reducing the number of accident and incidents in our
sport.
Best wishes

JohnR-K

On Wed, 18 Mar 2009 10:15:07 +0000, John Roche-Kelly wrote:

2) stall during rotation, it is hard to know whether these are
elected rotation or automatic rotation

Note to any Libelle drivers out there who are thinking of trying winch
launching for the first time.

Libelles winch well provided the pilot has been given a proper briefing
by somebody who is familiar with winch launching them. However, with
incorrect technique they can snap-rotate at lift-off. There is nothing in
the owners manual about this.


--
martin@ | Martin Gregorie
gregorie. | Essex, UK
org |

Martin Gregorie wrote:
On Wed, 18 Mar 2009 10:15:07 +0000, John Roche-Kelly wrote:

2) stall during rotation, it is hard to know whether these are
elected rotation or automatic rotation

Note to any Libelle drivers out there who are thinking of trying winch
launching for the first time.

Libelles winch well provided the pilot has been given a proper briefing
by somebody who is familiar with winch launching them. However, with
incorrect technique they can snap-rotate at lift-off. There is nothing in
the owners manual about this.


The same is true for the Ka8. I haven't winched one for some time, but
still have the scars where my knuckles would hit the instrument panel
even on a normal speed launch start!