London Gliding Club
the winch
A winch launch is perhaps the most exhilarating way to get airbone. The glider is hooked onto an 800 meter (2400 foot) steel cable which has an enormous 6 cylinder 300 HP engine on the other end.
Once the all out signal is given the engine winds the cable in. Much like running with a kite, the glider very quickly gains enough speed to fly and shoots up into the air.
With a headwind, launches of above 1000 feet are possible.
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a private glider just starting to rotate into the climb on a winch launch
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a private glider just starting to rotate into the climb on a winch launch
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the winch winding the last of the cable in after launching a glider
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the winch winding the last of the cable in after launching a glider
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JDX dropping the winch cable
at the top of the launch
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JDX dropping the winch cable
at the top of the launch
