The Design and Development of Glider Launching Winches

Abstract

The use of winches for launching sailplanes has increased in recent years as the cost of fossil fuel has risen. Although the height that a sailplane achieves in the winch launch is limited by geographical and other considerations, the reduction in cost of flying training operations is of considerable benefit. The Royal Air Force Air Cadet organization has used winches extensively in their primary glider pilot training. The author has assisted the Mjnistry of Defence in the reduction of cost and the improvement in reliability for their winch launch system. The mechanical engineering features of winches for launching gliders are discussed in detail. The opportunity has been taken to bring together in one place the design formulae and charts for winch equipment. No attempt has been made to define the cost of launching a sailplane by winch in current terms as this will depend upon the circumstances of the location. Sufficient information is given for costs to be predicted by the users.