Ground Launch – Winch or Vehicle

Ground Launch – Winch or Vehicle2020-07-08T23:36:25-06:00

Soaring Society of America Forums Training Launch Methods Ground Launch – Winch or Vehicle

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    • Soaring Society of America
      Keymaster
      Post count: 3
    • Mark Lambert
      Participant
      Post count: 9

      When our commercial glider operation in Arizona was evaluating ground launch methods, we came to the conclusion that a proven, purpose-built, production machine was the best option for reliability and safety. We went with the Skylaunch EVO dual drum winch.

      First, it has plenty of torque to give a consistent, effective, launch experience. The Chevy 502 long block engine (powered by propane in our case) develops more than 400 ft. lbs of torque. Second, it comes will all of the controls and features to maximize safety, including an emergency guillotine to sever the cable in an emergency. Most importantly, it is backed by a manufacturer with many years of experience building, testing, and deploying winches. Their team personally supervised the placement and start up of our winch and trained us in its use. Our trainer had done more than 500,000 launches in his tenure with the company.
      Because we are responsible for the safety of young students in our winch launch operation, we wouldn’t want anything less than a Skylaunch EVO.

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