Educational video! Most are using the high wind technique called "check and pray." Pretty forgiving launch area, but not all are so nice.... Sad to see so few using specific high wind launch techniques like Mike Kung's rear riser techniques (also known as Mitsos) or cobra launch. In these conditions, I like launching backwards into the wind with one hand on either C/rear riser for steering - this reduces plucking since steering and checking is done with the rears instead of the brakes, and prevents untwisting until you are ready to untwist. In these extreme conditions, I prefer to push off backwards one hand on each rear, then untwist once wing is settled and flying well, usually already a good distance from the hill.
I think about 1/2 those pilots had no place to be launching in those conditions. The people “helping” were no help either. Ever think about moving down the hill a bit out of the compression zone on the hill top?
Good question. Why weren’t they launching from lower down and why did so many not line up with the wind and insisted on take off with wing skewed to one side? From the grass you could see the direction was from the left and most were oriented straight or right.
What experience level is this? When I see "British Sports Trophy" I would assume they are experienced, but how does this match, what we see here? Even the most basic thing like running towards the wing, as it pulls, no one seem to do. Not to mention everything else. That doesn't make any sense. 🤔
It's easy! The pilot needs more ballast! How to do? Grab a spectator and take off stabilized. When you are out of the updraft, simply drop the ballast viewer! That always works! We call this the Austrian ballasting!
@@sandrainthesky1011🇦🇹 This only works in the Austrian Alps! It's best to grab 🇩🇪 German tourists as ballast. Germans are used to sacrificing for a good cause!
If you can fly with normal size paragliders the wind is not strong imho. It's considered strong if you need a miniwing to be ably to fly forward, and big wings fly backwards.
Thanks for the video. I didn't notice many using high-wind launch techniques (that I got from the internet.. novice speaking here) like cobra launch, launching with ears, or launch from a very squatted stanch to relieve pressure from the wing as it comes up and forward. Is that correct? What would you suggest for a smoother/safer launch in these winds (besides keeping your fingers crossed).
I think I would have just waited for a lull in the wind for this situation. Kiting on the flat in this is no problem but on a hill? A's & C's all the way tho!
It's scary how bad these techniques are. I fly in the desert mountains and usually have to clear places of rocks and cactus for takeoff. I usually don't even have enough space to fully unfold my wing and once it goes up I have to immediately control and fly lest I get picked or pulled into nearby obstacles. I guess you just get spoiled when you have someone to hold your wing and help you out.
As an old hang glider pilot I cringe at watching these "take-offs". I can tell you I've seen some scary and failed hang glider launches in my time but I would never have lasted in the sport as long as I did if our hang gliding launches were as haywire and dangerous as what I'm watching here. I'm not even going to get into how those floppy diapers tend to fold up midair in moderately turbulent thermally air. They sure are portable though. 👍
Very poor take-off techniques displayed (for strong wind conditions). Very few were interested in stabilizing the wing. Most were not prepared for 'vertical-take-off'. Guys practice more on the ground. This appeared to be a forgiving launch site, else you can be in real trouble.
