[Nobody]

I'd hate to see an epitaph on a fighter pilot's tombstone that says, "I told you I needed training." . . . How do you train for the most dangerous game in the world by being as safe as possible? When you don't let a guy train because it's dangerous, you're saying, "Go fight those lions with your bare hands in that arena, because we can't teach you to learn how to use a spear. If we do, you might cut your finger while you're learning." And that's just about the same as murder.

— Colonel 'Boots' Boothby, USAF.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBoXhNUj ... r_embedded

[Nobody]

I'd say at least half the people that I've seen do ramp launches at LMFP and Hensons have yet to learn that technique. And I'm talking from H2's to H4's. Its a technique that I've had to force myself to learn on my own, because no one bothers to teach it to you. Everytime I'm on launch, I remind myself to pull in as I'm running down the ramp. Even in 10mph winds I will tend to dive off the ramp. I much prefer it to the mushing off the ramp that a lot of people tend to do.

http://www.hanggliding.org/viewtopic.ph ... ht=#258494

[Nobody]

After reading the replys associated with the LMFP blown launch post, I was wondering (for the sake of discussion, and our mutual edification) if there are exceptions to the rules for launching under different wind conditions, or geography.

For example, while visiting SF, I witnessed several guys at Ft Funston launching "sideways" on a day when the wind was blowing hard from the right. Basically they were launching at a "banked" angle. If someone could post a video, of that type of launch it might be interesting to discuss.
_________________
H3, AT, FL, CL, AWCL, 360 -- Student Pilot
WillsWing Eagle 164
WillsWing U2 145
WillsWing T2C 144

http://www.hanggliding.org/viewtopic.ph ... ht=#257410

[miguel]

Here is a Google translation for the info under the video:

At 18:10 MDA said Jordan jumper with Paraglider that seems to fall from a great height for an unknown reason the fields east of Kibbutz Potency. To take advantage of last-minute daylight helicopter were dispatched to the MDA group headed by paramedics and Greg Abraham Raviv and Itlis as Yes because it was feared that a mine field to rescue helicopter were dispatched to military and engineering forces and sabotage. Soon paramedics MDA helicopter squadron he found the jumper side of the mountain lying lifeless. Then denied by the terrorists was clear of mines rescue unit forces and army helicopter rescued from a man about 35 and doctor pronounced. Magen David Adom ambulance transferred him to the hospital in Tiberias Fourier

[Nobody]

Thanks Miguel.

From the org.

The pilot was in his 30s and had been flying for 2 years. he died last Saturday during launch over the sea of galilee.
According to initial reports the pilot had launched unhooked and made a free fall down to earth after clearing the cliff, rescue teams found the body only a couple of hours later as it was getting dark and he crashed in an old mine-field.
The specific details of the incident I believe will be published later on.
We are a small community of pilots and most of us knew him well, its an unimaginable loss and to everyone here.
god rest his soul.

[Bob Kuczewski]

I'd hate to see an epitaph on a fighter pilot's tombstone that says, "I told you I needed training." . . . How do you train for the most dangerous game in the world by being as safe as possible? When you don't let a guy train because it's dangerous, you're saying, "Go fight those lions with your bare hands in that arena, because we can't teach you to learn how to use a spear. If we do, you might cut your finger while you're learning." And that's just about the same as murder.

— Colonel 'Boots' Boothby, USAF.

This has always been a tradeoff. As the training losses approach zero, the realism of the training tends to go with it. We might be able to do better with high-tech "safe" training simulators, but in the end, you need people who are willing to take the real chances in the real world. That's hard to sort out in a simulator.

[Nobody]

The wind is blowing strait in, 8 to10, on the bunny hill. The students are launching well. The wind picks up and shifts to the left and gets a bit gusty. Do you?

A,Shut down instruction for the day (so no one bangs their knee).

B, Capitalize on an opportunity to teach future pilots how to launch their gliders in less PERFECT conditions.

Its a technique that I've had to force myself to learn on my own, because no one bothers to teach it to you.

I witnessed several guys at Ft Funston launching "sideways" on a day when the wind was blowing hard from the right. Basically they were launching at a "banked" angle.

[Bob Kuczewski]

The wind is blowing strait in, 8 to10, on the bunny hill. The students are launching well. The wind picks up and shifts to the left and gets a bit gusty.

Of course there are too many unknowns in this question, and the answer will always be based on the instructor's best judgement.

But I believe some of the students will benefit from this challenge, while others should probably fold down their gliders.

By the way, what kind of liability coverage does the instructor have?   

[Bob Kuczewski]

I witnessed several guys at Ft Funston launching "sideways" on a day when the wind was blowing hard from the right. Basically they were launching at a "banked" angle.

David Beardslee taught me something about launching in crosswinds at Torrey. He pointed out that a crosswind from the left (in that case) would cause the glider to be weathervaning to the left while standing at launch. So as the pilot begins to move forward during the launch, the right wing will encounter lift before the left wing, and it will induce a left turn back into the cliff. In that circumstance, Dave recommends holding the glider banked to the right before launch to compensate for this effect. This seems counter-intuitive because the natural tendency is to want to bank the glider for a turn toward the advancing wind (upwind direction) rather than away from it (downwind direction). But after giving it some thought, I've come to believe that Dave is correct, and I thank him for his advice.

[Nobody]

5. Launch in a banked turn ... strongly NOT recommended

Dave recommends holding the glider banked to the right before launch to compensate for this effect. This seems counter-intuitive because the natural tendency is to want to bank the glider for a turn toward the advancing wind (upwind direction) rather than away from it (downwind direction). But after giving it some thought, I've come to believe that Dave is correct, and I thank him for his advice.

I'm confused.