Are glider winch launches rarer in the USA than in the rest of the world? Why?Why use plywood to hold the bearings for the airbrakes on a fibreglass glider?How should a glider pilot signal turns to the towplane?Why do glider licences have fewer restrictions than powered aircraft?How can the Perlan II glider climb to 90,000 feet?What's the maximum bank angle of a glider?What is the difference between Glider (aircraft) and Glider (sailplane)What are the effects of a rejected takeoff?Are these questions really on the FAA Glider Commercial written test?What are the best places to gain the most altitude in a glider?How are electronic instruments and other equipment powered in a glider?
Found more old paper shares from broken up companies
Other than a swing wing, what types of variable geometry have flown?
Are symplectomorphisms of Weil–Petersson symplectic form induced from surface diffeomorphisms?
Grid/table with lots of buttons
What is "ass door"?
When were "acrobatics" introduced at weddings?
Can a character with a low Intelligence score take the Ritual Caster feat and choose the Wizard class?
The 50,000 row query limit is not actually a "per APEX call" as widely believed
Bug in Lualatex: not printing characters from calculation
Why is chess failing to attract big name sponsors?
How to correct errors in proofs of an accepted paper
Why are MEMS in QFN packages?
Can I pay with HKD in Macau or Shenzhen?
Impact of throwing away fruit waste on a peak > 3200 m above a glacier
How could an engineer advance human civilization by time traveling to the past?
The seven story archetypes. Are they truly all of them?
What exactly makes a General Products hull nearly indestructible?
Navigating the multiverse of bifurcated parallel realities
Using paddles to support a bug net
ExactlyOne extension method
Considerations when providing money to one child now, and the other later?
I have a domain, static IP address and many devices I'd like to access outside my house. How do I route them?
How to repair basic cable/wire issue for household appliances
Extrapolation v. Interpolation
Are glider winch launches rarer in the USA than in the rest of the world? Why?
Why use plywood to hold the bearings for the airbrakes on a fibreglass glider?How should a glider pilot signal turns to the towplane?Why do glider licences have fewer restrictions than powered aircraft?How can the Perlan II glider climb to 90,000 feet?What's the maximum bank angle of a glider?What is the difference between Glider (aircraft) and Glider (sailplane)What are the effects of a rejected takeoff?Are these questions really on the FAA Glider Commercial written test?What are the best places to gain the most altitude in a glider?How are electronic instruments and other equipment powered in a glider?
.everyoneloves__top-leaderboard:empty,.everyoneloves__mid-leaderboard:empty,.everyoneloves__bot-mid-leaderboard:empty margin-bottom:0;
$begingroup$
I had heard before that winch-launching gliders was a relatively rare practice in the USA, while quite common in the rest of the world. My data is mostly anecdotal, but I do know gliding clubs in Europe that exclusively use winches.
A recent post in The Hangar reminded me of this: Tanner claims their club owns the first winch launcher sold by Tost to a USA customer, and that they have not used it in years.
Is winch launching relatively rarer in the USA than in the rest of the world? If so, why?
takeoff glider aircraft-operations
asked 10 hours ago
AEhereAEhere
3,8301 gold badge12 silver badges39 bronze badges
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
I had heard before that winch-launching gliders was a relatively rare practice in the USA, while quite common in the rest of the world. My data is mostly anecdotal, but I do know gliding clubs in Europe that exclusively use winches.
A recent post in The Hangar reminded me of this: Tanner claims their club owns the first winch launcher sold by Tost to a USA customer, and that they have not used it in years.
Is winch launching relatively rarer in the USA than in the rest of the world? If so, why?
takeoff glider aircraft-operations
asked 10 hours ago
AEhereAEhere
3,8301 gold badge12 silver badges39 bronze badges
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
I had heard before that winch-launching gliders was a relatively rare practice in the USA, while quite common in the rest of the world. My data is mostly anecdotal, but I do know gliding clubs in Europe that exclusively use winches.
A recent post in The Hangar reminded me of this: Tanner claims their club owns the first winch launcher sold by Tost to a USA customer, and that they have not used it in years.
Is winch launching relatively rarer in the USA than in the rest of the world? If so, why?
takeoff glider aircraft-operations
asked 10 hours ago
AEhereAEhere
3,8301 gold badge12 silver badges39 bronze badges
$endgroup$
I had heard before that winch-launching gliders was a relatively rare practice in the USA, while quite common in the rest of the world. My data is mostly anecdotal, but I do know gliding clubs in Europe that exclusively use winches.
A recent post in The Hangar reminded me of this: Tanner claims their club owns the first winch launcher sold by Tost to a USA customer, and that they have not used it in years.
Is winch launching relatively rarer in the USA than in the rest of the world? If so, why?
takeoff glider aircraft-operations
takeoff glider aircraft-operations
asked 10 hours ago
AEhereAEhere
3,8301 gold badge12 silver badges39 bronze badges
asked 10 hours ago
AEhereAEhere
3,8301 gold badge12 silver badges39 bronze badges
asked 10 hours ago
AEhereAEhere
3,8301 gold badge12 silver badges39 bronze badges
asked 10 hours ago
AEhereAEhere
3,8301 gold badge12 silver badges39 bronze badges
asked 10 hours ago
AEhereAEhere
3,8301 gold badge12 silver badges39 bronze badges
3,8301 gold badge12 silver badges39 bronze badges
add a comment |
add a comment |
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
$begingroup$
To expand on Quiet Flyer's answer, it's technical and economic at the same time.
Techical: Winch is limiting because you are deposited in the same spot over the field, whereas a tow, if the pilot knows what he's doing, can take you to a thermal up to a few miles from the field. Plus you can get towed higher. If you had to choose the launch method that gives the highest probability for a successful flight, aerotow's a no-brainer.
Economic: Because of the higher average individual purchasing power in the US (and Canada to more or less the same degree) of disposable income (for example, power flying is a middle class, even lower middle class, activity in the US and Can, and an upper middle class activity in EU), glider pilots can afford the higher cost of a tow, but which is still cheaper than a tow in Europe because overall operating costs for power planes are less.
So given the choice between paying 15-20 bucks for a winch launch to hopefully 2000 ft (if you have a runway long enough to fit the cable) and 30-40 bucks to be hauled to 3000 feet in a Pawnee, who's pilot, if reasonably skilled, will find and drop you off right at a thermal, most North American glider pilots will pay the 30-40 for the tow.
So the result is there is very little market demand for winch operations in North America, except with some small clubs in out of the way places without the money and resources to run a tow plane.
answered 9 hours ago
John KJohn K
35.8k1 gold badge62 silver badges118 bronze badges
$endgroup$
1
$begingroup$
The one thing I'd say is that winch launches in the EU can be very, very cheap in comparison. One club I've glided from repeatedly has an electric winch that you can easily pull 1000 ft from, often into a thermal. If not, you practice a circuit and try again. The price in USD is about $6-8.
$endgroup$
– Landak
2 hours ago
$begingroup$
Interesting. I'd probably go for that just for the thrill of the low cost kite ride. What is the typical charge for a launch to say 1.5 to 2k with a gas powered winch? I was just guessing at 15-20$.
$endgroup$
– John K
3 mins ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Is winch launching relatively rarer in the USA than in the rest of the
world?
Definitely.
If so, why?
At least in part because airplane fuel, as well as some other costs associated with powered aviation, are cheaper in the US than in many other countries.
answered 10 hours ago
quiet flyerquiet flyer
3,5776 silver badges37 bronze badges
$endgroup$
1
$begingroup$
Btw I have reached launch altitudes of over 4000' above ground using a winch-- but it was not a reel-in winch, rather it was a pay-out winch attached to a truck that drove down a road-- the aircraft was a hang glider. I've down sailplane auto-tows using a fixed-length rope, but no sailplane winch launching. And yes I live in the US.
$endgroup$
– quiet flyer
10 hours ago
add a comment |
Your Answer
StackExchange.ready(function()
var channelOptions =
tags: "".split(" "),
id: "528"
;
initTagRenderer("".split(" "), "".split(" "), channelOptions);
StackExchange.using("externalEditor", function()
// Have to fire editor after snippets, if snippets enabled
if (StackExchange.settings.snippets.snippetsEnabled)
StackExchange.using("snippets", function()
createEditor();
);
else
createEditor();
);
function createEditor()
StackExchange.prepareEditor(
heartbeatType: 'answer',
autoActivateHeartbeat: false,
convertImagesToLinks: false,
noModals: true,
showLowRepImageUploadWarning: true,
reputationToPostImages: null,
bindNavPrevention: true,
postfix: "",
imageUploader:
brandingHtml: "Powered by u003ca class="icon-imgur-white" href="https://imgur.com/"u003eu003c/au003e",
contentPolicyHtml: "User contributions licensed under u003ca href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/"u003ecc by-sa 3.0 with attribution requiredu003c/au003e u003ca href="https://stackoverflow.com/legal/content-policy"u003e(content policy)u003c/au003e",
allowUrls: true
,
noCode: true, onDemand: true,
discardSelector: ".discard-answer"
,immediatelyShowMarkdownHelp:true
);
);
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function ()
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
);
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
StackExchange.ready(
function ()
StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2faviation.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f66916%2fare-glider-winch-launches-rarer-in-the-usa-than-in-the-rest-of-the-world-why%23new-answer', 'question_page');
);
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
$begingroup$
To expand on Quiet Flyer's answer, it's technical and economic at the same time.
Techical: Winch is limiting because you are deposited in the same spot over the field, whereas a tow, if the pilot knows what he's doing, can take you to a thermal up to a few miles from the field. Plus you can get towed higher. If you had to choose the launch method that gives the highest probability for a successful flight, aerotow's a no-brainer.
Economic: Because of the higher average individual purchasing power in the US (and Canada to more or less the same degree) of disposable income (for example, power flying is a middle class, even lower middle class, activity in the US and Can, and an upper middle class activity in EU), glider pilots can afford the higher cost of a tow, but which is still cheaper than a tow in Europe because overall operating costs for power planes are less.
So given the choice between paying 15-20 bucks for a winch launch to hopefully 2000 ft (if you have a runway long enough to fit the cable) and 30-40 bucks to be hauled to 3000 feet in a Pawnee, who's pilot, if reasonably skilled, will find and drop you off right at a thermal, most North American glider pilots will pay the 30-40 for the tow.
So the result is there is very little market demand for winch operations in North America, except with some small clubs in out of the way places without the money and resources to run a tow plane.
answered 9 hours ago
John KJohn K
35.8k1 gold badge62 silver badges118 bronze badges
$endgroup$
1
$begingroup$
The one thing I'd say is that winch launches in the EU can be very, very cheap in comparison. One club I've glided from repeatedly has an electric winch that you can easily pull 1000 ft from, often into a thermal. If not, you practice a circuit and try again. The price in USD is about $6-8.
$endgroup$
– Landak
2 hours ago
$begingroup$
Interesting. I'd probably go for that just for the thrill of the low cost kite ride. What is the typical charge for a launch to say 1.5 to 2k with a gas powered winch? I was just guessing at 15-20$.
$endgroup$
– John K
3 mins ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
To expand on Quiet Flyer's answer, it's technical and economic at the same time.
Techical: Winch is limiting because you are deposited in the same spot over the field, whereas a tow, if the pilot knows what he's doing, can take you to a thermal up to a few miles from the field. Plus you can get towed higher. If you had to choose the launch method that gives the highest probability for a successful flight, aerotow's a no-brainer.
Economic: Because of the higher average individual purchasing power in the US (and Canada to more or less the same degree) of disposable income (for example, power flying is a middle class, even lower middle class, activity in the US and Can, and an upper middle class activity in EU), glider pilots can afford the higher cost of a tow, but which is still cheaper than a tow in Europe because overall operating costs for power planes are less.
So given the choice between paying 15-20 bucks for a winch launch to hopefully 2000 ft (if you have a runway long enough to fit the cable) and 30-40 bucks to be hauled to 3000 feet in a Pawnee, who's pilot, if reasonably skilled, will find and drop you off right at a thermal, most North American glider pilots will pay the 30-40 for the tow.
So the result is there is very little market demand for winch operations in North America, except with some small clubs in out of the way places without the money and resources to run a tow plane.
answered 9 hours ago
John KJohn K
35.8k1 gold badge62 silver badges118 bronze badges
$endgroup$
1
$begingroup$
The one thing I'd say is that winch launches in the EU can be very, very cheap in comparison. One club I've glided from repeatedly has an electric winch that you can easily pull 1000 ft from, often into a thermal. If not, you practice a circuit and try again. The price in USD is about $6-8.
$endgroup$
– Landak
2 hours ago
$begingroup$
Interesting. I'd probably go for that just for the thrill of the low cost kite ride. What is the typical charge for a launch to say 1.5 to 2k with a gas powered winch? I was just guessing at 15-20$.
$endgroup$
– John K
3 mins ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
To expand on Quiet Flyer's answer, it's technical and economic at the same time.
Techical: Winch is limiting because you are deposited in the same spot over the field, whereas a tow, if the pilot knows what he's doing, can take you to a thermal up to a few miles from the field. Plus you can get towed higher. If you had to choose the launch method that gives the highest probability for a successful flight, aerotow's a no-brainer.
Economic: Because of the higher average individual purchasing power in the US (and Canada to more or less the same degree) of disposable income (for example, power flying is a middle class, even lower middle class, activity in the US and Can, and an upper middle class activity in EU), glider pilots can afford the higher cost of a tow, but which is still cheaper than a tow in Europe because overall operating costs for power planes are less.
So given the choice between paying 15-20 bucks for a winch launch to hopefully 2000 ft (if you have a runway long enough to fit the cable) and 30-40 bucks to be hauled to 3000 feet in a Pawnee, who's pilot, if reasonably skilled, will find and drop you off right at a thermal, most North American glider pilots will pay the 30-40 for the tow.
So the result is there is very little market demand for winch operations in North America, except with some small clubs in out of the way places without the money and resources to run a tow plane.
answered 9 hours ago
John KJohn K
35.8k1 gold badge62 silver badges118 bronze badges
$endgroup$
To expand on Quiet Flyer's answer, it's technical and economic at the same time.
Techical: Winch is limiting because you are deposited in the same spot over the field, whereas a tow, if the pilot knows what he's doing, can take you to a thermal up to a few miles from the field. Plus you can get towed higher. If you had to choose the launch method that gives the highest probability for a successful flight, aerotow's a no-brainer.
Economic: Because of the higher average individual purchasing power in the US (and Canada to more or less the same degree) of disposable income (for example, power flying is a middle class, even lower middle class, activity in the US and Can, and an upper middle class activity in EU), glider pilots can afford the higher cost of a tow, but which is still cheaper than a tow in Europe because overall operating costs for power planes are less.
So given the choice between paying 15-20 bucks for a winch launch to hopefully 2000 ft (if you have a runway long enough to fit the cable) and 30-40 bucks to be hauled to 3000 feet in a Pawnee, who's pilot, if reasonably skilled, will find and drop you off right at a thermal, most North American glider pilots will pay the 30-40 for the tow.
So the result is there is very little market demand for winch operations in North America, except with some small clubs in out of the way places without the money and resources to run a tow plane.
answered 9 hours ago
John KJohn K
35.8k1 gold badge62 silver badges118 bronze badges
answered 9 hours ago
John KJohn K
35.8k1 gold badge62 silver badges118 bronze badges
answered 9 hours ago
John KJohn K
35.8k1 gold badge62 silver badges118 bronze badges
answered 9 hours ago
John KJohn K
35.8k1 gold badge62 silver badges118 bronze badges
35.8k1 gold badge62 silver badges118 bronze badges
1
$begingroup$
The one thing I'd say is that winch launches in the EU can be very, very cheap in comparison. One club I've glided from repeatedly has an electric winch that you can easily pull 1000 ft from, often into a thermal. If not, you practice a circuit and try again. The price in USD is about $6-8.
$endgroup$
– Landak
2 hours ago
$begingroup$
Interesting. I'd probably go for that just for the thrill of the low cost kite ride. What is the typical charge for a launch to say 1.5 to 2k with a gas powered winch? I was just guessing at 15-20$.
$endgroup$
– John K
3 mins ago
add a comment |
1
$begingroup$
The one thing I'd say is that winch launches in the EU can be very, very cheap in comparison. One club I've glided from repeatedly has an electric winch that you can easily pull 1000 ft from, often into a thermal. If not, you practice a circuit and try again. The price in USD is about $6-8.
$endgroup$
– Landak
2 hours ago
$begingroup$
Interesting. I'd probably go for that just for the thrill of the low cost kite ride. What is the typical charge for a launch to say 1.5 to 2k with a gas powered winch? I was just guessing at 15-20$.
$endgroup$
– John K
3 mins ago
1
1
$begingroup$
The one thing I'd say is that winch launches in the EU can be very, very cheap in comparison. One club I've glided from repeatedly has an electric winch that you can easily pull 1000 ft from, often into a thermal. If not, you practice a circuit and try again. The price in USD is about $6-8.
$endgroup$
– Landak
2 hours ago
$begingroup$
The one thing I'd say is that winch launches in the EU can be very, very cheap in comparison. One club I've glided from repeatedly has an electric winch that you can easily pull 1000 ft from, often into a thermal. If not, you practice a circuit and try again. The price in USD is about $6-8.
$endgroup$
– Landak
2 hours ago
$begingroup$
Interesting. I'd probably go for that just for the thrill of the low cost kite ride. What is the typical charge for a launch to say 1.5 to 2k with a gas powered winch? I was just guessing at 15-20$.
$endgroup$
– John K
3 mins ago
$begingroup$
Interesting. I'd probably go for that just for the thrill of the low cost kite ride. What is the typical charge for a launch to say 1.5 to 2k with a gas powered winch? I was just guessing at 15-20$.
$endgroup$
– John K
3 mins ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Is winch launching relatively rarer in the USA than in the rest of the
world?
Definitely.
If so, why?
At least in part because airplane fuel, as well as some other costs associated with powered aviation, are cheaper in the US than in many other countries.
answered 10 hours ago
quiet flyerquiet flyer
3,5776 silver badges37 bronze badges
$endgroup$
1
$begingroup$
Btw I have reached launch altitudes of over 4000' above ground using a winch-- but it was not a reel-in winch, rather it was a pay-out winch attached to a truck that drove down a road-- the aircraft was a hang glider. I've down sailplane auto-tows using a fixed-length rope, but no sailplane winch launching. And yes I live in the US.
$endgroup$
– quiet flyer
10 hours ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Is winch launching relatively rarer in the USA than in the rest of the
world?
Definitely.
If so, why?
At least in part because airplane fuel, as well as some other costs associated with powered aviation, are cheaper in the US than in many other countries.
answered 10 hours ago
quiet flyerquiet flyer
3,5776 silver badges37 bronze badges
$endgroup$
1
$begingroup$
Btw I have reached launch altitudes of over 4000' above ground using a winch-- but it was not a reel-in winch, rather it was a pay-out winch attached to a truck that drove down a road-- the aircraft was a hang glider. I've down sailplane auto-tows using a fixed-length rope, but no sailplane winch launching. And yes I live in the US.
$endgroup$
– quiet flyer
10 hours ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Is winch launching relatively rarer in the USA than in the rest of the
world?
Definitely.
If so, why?
At least in part because airplane fuel, as well as some other costs associated with powered aviation, are cheaper in the US than in many other countries.
answered 10 hours ago
quiet flyerquiet flyer
3,5776 silver badges37 bronze badges
$endgroup$
Is winch launching relatively rarer in the USA than in the rest of the
world?
Definitely.
If so, why?
At least in part because airplane fuel, as well as some other costs associated with powered aviation, are cheaper in the US than in many other countries.
answered 10 hours ago
quiet flyerquiet flyer
3,5776 silver badges37 bronze badges
answered 10 hours ago
quiet flyerquiet flyer
3,5776 silver badges37 bronze badges
answered 10 hours ago
quiet flyerquiet flyer
3,5776 silver badges37 bronze badges
answered 10 hours ago
quiet flyerquiet flyer
3,5776 silver badges37 bronze badges
3,5776 silver badges37 bronze badges
1
$begingroup$
Btw I have reached launch altitudes of over 4000' above ground using a winch-- but it was not a reel-in winch, rather it was a pay-out winch attached to a truck that drove down a road-- the aircraft was a hang glider. I've down sailplane auto-tows using a fixed-length rope, but no sailplane winch launching. And yes I live in the US.
$endgroup$
– quiet flyer
10 hours ago
add a comment |
1
$begingroup$
Btw I have reached launch altitudes of over 4000' above ground using a winch-- but it was not a reel-in winch, rather it was a pay-out winch attached to a truck that drove down a road-- the aircraft was a hang glider. I've down sailplane auto-tows using a fixed-length rope, but no sailplane winch launching. And yes I live in the US.
$endgroup$
– quiet flyer
10 hours ago
1
1
$begingroup$
Btw I have reached launch altitudes of over 4000' above ground using a winch-- but it was not a reel-in winch, rather it was a pay-out winch attached to a truck that drove down a road-- the aircraft was a hang glider. I've down sailplane auto-tows using a fixed-length rope, but no sailplane winch launching. And yes I live in the US.
$endgroup$
– quiet flyer
10 hours ago
$begingroup$
Btw I have reached launch altitudes of over 4000' above ground using a winch-- but it was not a reel-in winch, rather it was a pay-out winch attached to a truck that drove down a road-- the aircraft was a hang glider. I've down sailplane auto-tows using a fixed-length rope, but no sailplane winch launching. And yes I live in the US.
$endgroup$
– quiet flyer
10 hours ago
add a comment |
Thanks for contributing an answer to Aviation Stack Exchange!
- Please be sure to answer the question. Provide details and share your research!
But avoid …
- Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers.
- Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience.
Use MathJax to format equations. MathJax reference.
To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers.
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function ()
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
);
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
StackExchange.ready(
function ()
StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2faviation.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f66916%2fare-glider-winch-launches-rarer-in-the-usa-than-in-the-rest-of-the-world-why%23new-answer', 'question_page');
);
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function ()
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
);
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function ()
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
);
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function ()
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
);
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
