Yup, metal fatigue is a real thing. There actually a fatal accident in Austria with a Blanik L-13 where the wing disintegrated exactly due to metal fatigue.
@@floatingchimney Yep, there was an accident in Austria, but not caused by winch launch. It was becuse the original version had weaker wings and they and they kept overstressing the wing in aerobatics. Thus it would not even happen under a normal circumstances.
Surprised at your launch hook, flown the Blanik in the UK and they all had tost type back release hook in the belly, never seen one with these fuselage mounted hooks.
Our L13 had a bridle that connected to two pins protruding from the sides of the fuselage in addition to a Tost style front hook. The release worked both mechanisms. The Tost would open and the two pins on the sides would retract, releasing the bridle. I thought it was standard equipment for that model and recommended for winching since it was closer to the CG position. It was a lot of fun until the world-wide grounding of those aircraft. We had two of them in our club.
@@markstitzer2195 That is interesting, the ones in the UK I flew all came with a back release belly hook and a nose hook, both opened when you pulled the bung and the back release would also activate when the cable pulled back.
@@grahamariss2111 that is interesting. The bridle on ours had a back release mechanism too. Basically, the hook for the bridle posts was only about 180 degrees so as it flew past the winch it would rotate and release on it's own at a certain angle.
Detaching is done in two ways. You pull a knob and the hook opens. And in case the hook does not open (a rare malfunction), when you fly past the winch, the cable is released automatically, for safety. And if even THAT fails, you must fly circles around the winch and land there. Very very rare. You see, glider pilots do learn some skills.
@@voornaam3191 The first two are correct. The third safety level is an emergency cutter on the winch where the wich driver can cut the cable as last resort. If that fails you are in deep shit. Circling around the winch will most likely not work. Jump and use the emergency parachute. I hope you are wearing one which is almost granted in Europe but pretty rare in the US on club equipment.
Hi, very interesting thema but bad realized. Much better wil bbe if you will show it from winch cabin with details of numbers on gauges. How much torque, how much rpms on engine and when ... Possible to create new video with it? Thank you very much.
Do you really have only one line on your winch? Not a lot of take off's, each day. This is so sad. Each flight will cost you a thousand dollars, I reckon. What a way to keep flying sailplanes unpopular. Sad it is.
We were getting up to about 1700-2000 feet in just under a minute from dead stop to release.
Moj filemje juk
I remember many years ago, it was scary to read in the Blanik manual how much its lifespan was reduced by winch launches.
Yup, metal fatigue is a real thing.
There actually a fatal accident in Austria with a Blanik L-13 where the wing disintegrated exactly due to metal fatigue.
The Blanik spar was a poor design from day one.
@@floatingchimney Yep, there was an accident in Austria, but not caused by winch launch. It was becuse the original version had weaker wings and they and they kept overstressing the wing in aerobatics. Thus it would not even happen under a normal circumstances.
Bet that felt nice on the way up! Looks fun.
Yup Strait up, I want to do this so bad
Lekker sappig filmpje bro 👍👍👍 jaaaaaaaah.......
Surprised at your launch hook, flown the Blanik in the UK and they all had tost type back release hook in the belly, never seen one with these fuselage mounted hooks.
Our L13 had a bridle that connected to two pins protruding from the sides of the fuselage in addition to a Tost style front hook. The release worked both mechanisms. The Tost would open and the two pins on the sides would retract, releasing the bridle. I thought it was standard equipment for that model and recommended for winching since it was closer to the CG position. It was a lot of fun until the world-wide grounding of those aircraft. We had two of them in our club.
@@markstitzer2195 That is interesting, the ones in the UK I flew all came with a back release belly hook and a nose hook, both opened when you pulled the bung and the back release would also activate when the cable pulled back.
@@grahamariss2111 that is interesting. The bridle on ours had a back release mechanism too. Basically, the hook for the bridle posts was only about 180 degrees so as it flew past the winch it would rotate and release on it's own at a certain angle.
Better not piss her off.....
Does the cable just detach and fall. It looked like there was a small parachute on the end in that last moment?
Yes, the cable detaches from the plane and is reeled in by the winch operator as it falls. The parachute slows it down so it can land near the winch.
Detaching is done in two ways. You pull a knob and the hook opens. And in case the hook does not open (a rare malfunction), when you fly past the winch, the cable is released automatically, for safety. And if even THAT fails, you must fly circles around the winch and land there. Very very rare. You see, glider pilots do learn some skills.
@@voornaam3191 The first two are correct. The third safety level is an emergency cutter on the winch where the wich driver can cut the cable as last resort. If that fails you are in deep shit. Circling around the winch will most likely not work. Jump and use the emergency parachute. I hope you are wearing one which is almost granted in Europe but pretty rare in the US on club equipment.
Showwwww!
Hi, very interesting thema but bad realized. Much better wil bbe if you will show it from winch cabin with details of numbers on gauges. How much torque, how much rpms on engine and when ... Possible to create new video with it? Thank you very much.
The unholy mess when a 'pole bender' breaks the cable and it piles into the winch...
Pole benders do not break cables. You install good rollers. And yes, you do not want spaghetti.
Do you really have only one line on your winch? Not a lot of take off's, each day. This is so sad. Each flight will cost you a thousand dollars, I reckon. What a way to keep flying sailplanes unpopular. Sad it is.
Still much faster and more takeoffs than with a single towplane. 🤷♂️