Gliding - which way?

[Racylady]

I've been given the opportunity to go gliding and have been offered a flight behind a tug aircraft on aerotow or a winch launch. Which should I go for?

[telecat]

Winch Launch will give you a kick in the backside but the aerotow should give you the longer flight.

[JCB123]

I'm going gliding on Sunday - won it in a raffle (the flight, not the glider)....didn't really think about winching?

[anonymous-user]

Aerotow is the way to go.

[Mutley]

Used to glide with the Cadets, we used a winch, no real problem, you're up in the air quickly, newver had an opportunity to try aerotug.

Winching up was fine, as said, a jolt and you're airborne into the flight quicker than a tug.

Just go and enjoy the experience, it's great.

[JamesZS]

Never tried aerotow myself, but a winch launch is fantastic fun! Something like 0-60 in a couple of seconds IIRC.

I've done solo flights like this and it's a totally brilliant experience! Enjoy

[krap]

How much does it cost?

[Nuova500]

Mutley said:

Winching up was fine, as said, a jolt and you're airborne into the flight quicker than a tug.

Just as long as the winch lets go at the top...........

[Gnostic Ascent]

If you are paying then an aerotow is the most expensive but they will take you higher before releasing you (at least 2000ft) also they will try and drop you into a thermal so that you can do a bit of soaring.

With the winch launch it is cheaper but you get launched to a lower level (depending on the winch 1000-1400ft) and from there you need to find a thermal to do some soaring and stay aloft longer.

Mainly done winch launches and the acceleration beats anything you will find in a car.

[Ledaig]

Sod all that - what ever happened to bungee launches.

The fun bit being the stretching of the lacky band before the launch.....and hoping everyone else doesn't let go sending you back from where you just came

[mybrainhurts]

Up....

Go up.....

[Simpo Two]

Ledaig said:

Sod all that - what ever happened to bungee launches.

They tried that with my school's CCF glider. Fortunately it never got very far!

I remember Saltby airfield, a very battered Jaguar with the doors missing, a long piece of cable and a pulley

IIRC a winch will get you to 1,000 feet, which isn't much. An aerotow costs more but goes to 2,000+ which is handy on a cold damp English day as you just have time to do a circuit before you run out of sky.

Edited by Simpo Two on Friday 2nd May 15:03

[Mutley]

Nuova500 said:

Mutley said:

Winching up was fine, as said, a jolt and you're airborne into the flight quicker than a tug.

Just as long as the winch lets go at the top...........

The pilot does that

[Racylady]

Thanks for that guys. Still not sure which to go for though as it sounds like the winch is a great adrenaline rush but the aerotow will give me more time up there!!! May see if I can wangle a go at both!!!

[DIW35]

Gliding is the only sport where you have to do formation flying with another aircraft on your first solo! (Assuming you solo off an aerotow)

Quite a sobering thought.

[mrmaggit]

Mutley said:

Nuova500 said:

Mutley said:

Winching up was fine, as said, a jolt and you're airborne into the flight quicker than a tug.

Just as long as the winch lets go at the top...........

The pilot does that

Or the Ottfur ring if the pilot forgets.

[lazy_b]

mrmaggit said:

Mutley said:

Nuova500 said:

Mutley said:

Winching up was fine, as said, a jolt and you're airborne into the flight quicker than a tug.

Just as long as the winch lets go at the top...........

The pilot does that

Or the Ottfur ring if the pilot forgets.

I thought it was the weak link that was supposed to let go if the pilot forgets. The Ottfur ring is supposed to hang on tight until the pilot pulls the release...

Edited by lazy_b on Friday 2nd May 20:21

[JCB123]

Just got back from the flight I won....went upto 3,000ft on tug plane, thermals weren't great....but the experience was amazing.........highly recommend it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[john_p]

JCB123 said:

Just got back from the flight I won....went upto 3,000ft on tug plane, thermals weren't great....but the experience was amazing.........highly recommend it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Excellent. You going to get some lessons? Gliding's a lot cheaper than getting your PPL, but it is much more of a time consuming hobby!

[DIW35]

The weak link is designed to break at a given level of stress, and is a form of protection if the glider pilot is unable to release for any reason.

The Ottfur ring is a 'back release' and will usually only come in to play on winch launches when the pilot over flies the winch. I have known it to release on rare occasions on an aerotow, but this normally happens if the glider pilot gets seriously out of position and allows a lot of slack to develop in the tow rope. If the pressure on the resulting loop of rope is sufficient, the Ottfur ring may release.