Is it Possible to Self launch (no wingman) with CG hook??

On Fri, 5 Nov 2004 15:54:48 UTC, (Jerz Rossignol)
wrote:

: I'm curious if any of you guys have ever tried to self launch with no
: wing man on a cg hook only glider.

Yes. I had an aerotow retrieve in a Slingsby Swallow from a disused
airfield. Only myself and the tug pilot there.

Ian

--

I've used the "stick" method several times on retrieves -- find two
sticks, put them under the wings to hold them level. It works best
with 10 mph or so headwind. If you can talk the tow pilot into running
up for 30 sec or so so you get some prop blast before you start and
less prop blast halfway through the roll that helps too.

One thing nobody has mentioned is that a good tailwheel is much more
important to the success of this sort of thing than nose vs. cg hook.
Gliders with a skid are much more vulnerable to groundloops, and
gliders with cg hooks plus skid are really bad. Keep the tailwheel
planted on the ground with full back stick until you're really sure
which way the glider is going. If you have an old glued-on skid, spend
the $100 to get a tailwheel instead.


John Cochrane (BB)

(Jerz Rossignol) wrote in message om...
Hi Guys,

I'm curious if any of you guys have ever tried to self launch with no
wing man on a cg hook only glider. I have skids on my wingtips as
well. Would you put the wing that's on the ground further forward at
start? What's the technique!!
I think this is why having a cg hook is a disadvantage.

Regards,

Jerz

(Jerz Rossignol) wrote in message om...
Hi Guys,

I'm curious if any of you guys have ever tried to self launch with no
wing man on a cg hook only glider. I have skids on my wingtips as
well. Would you put the wing that's on the ground further forward at
start? What's the technique!!
I think this is why having a cg hook is a disadvantage.

Regards,

Jerz

I have done this with an ASW19. I set up with the down wing far
forward (the nose was pointed 20-30 degrees off centerline-this will
appear to be a ridiculous amount while waiting in the cockpit). The
drag of the wing tip skid pulls the glider towards the center line
until you have enough speed to pick up the wing. You should setup
offset of the runway centerline to maximize use of the runway width.
Crosswind weather-vaning will NOT be a factor until AFTER you have
lifted the wing. At this point you will have rudder and aileron
authority and correct for this effect. I would place the down wing
INTO the wind to ease the effort required to lift it.