a great example of foot-launching on a stationary winch using a 2-stage Koch-style release and then step-towing. The pilot is flying a Falcon4-170. Launched with about 1000m of rope out and towed to over 1000m altitude.
I started hang gliding in 1978 and did some of the most crazy tows at crazy places by crazy things that towed me but I would NEVER try step towing ever! Who ever thought of this must be nuts.
I heard it's very common in the Netherlands, one big club there has a small field and no hills. I see no problem as long as the scooter operator is also a pilot and they both know what they are doing, with two release options for the pilot flying and a quick way to cut the cable at the bottom too
1978 , tows saved driving to mountains , generally I did not see great danger , the winch operator had to be a Hang glider Pilot also , as long as everyone know each other and understood the main hand signals or wording on the radio LOL
I've done this, a long time ago, using a truck winch rather than stationary winch. But honestly, if you've got 1000 meters out, that's likely enough to get up on a decent day. Not at all sure the additional gain is worth the additional risk. Which is why it was a long time ago.
I did step towing back in the late 80's with an ATOL system. It worked fine. IMO The huge advantage you have today that we never had is the equipment for communications. We used very crappy CB radios or something similar. If you don't understand how important it is to talk to the tow vehicle please stop step tow right now. lol
After flying hang gliders (and sailplanes) for years, must admit that looked a bit sketchy. Then again, I'm pretty sure no wind cliff launches look that way as well - Always hated 'em, but they do get your attention!
I get the principles and motivation... but I think you'd be better off with microlift gliders and perhaps studying thermals in your area. Like, fly a drone around at different times of day to study where the thermals are. (Nice, dry cereals would be the best bet.) You'd need something with altitude hold and a readout on motor output, but. I think that's actually more important than an exceptionally risky towing method. If you can't figure out when and where thermals are happening, then you're still walking back. Or not. Death comes for us all eventually. It just arrives a lot sooner for the complacent.
@@instinctwindsports I gather that he's towing the rope back to the start, and winching up again. Is he unwinding the rope from the winch? How easily does it unspool? Ever had any incidents of the pilot getting yanked backwards? When I first watched this and saw the rope going the wrong way, I thought he was going to die. Took a while to figure out what was going on. There was no towing of any kind when I used to hang glide. I'm flying powered paraglider now. Much less hiking involved. There is an airport not too far away that does "ultralight" tows. I'll probably give that a try one of these days.
We do use a weak-link. There is an endless controversy over their use, especially with a pressure-regulated winch like ours. It was a rare drum snag. I debated to post this video because of it but it is a reminder what CAN happen. We have a low tolerance for any sort of resistance on the downwind. This snag worked itself out right away but it is always a good move to release as the pilot did.
Target height....as high as possible??! :) as long as we can stay above 500' on the steps as a safety measure, we are happy trying more steps. Depends on the winch for the back pressure on the downwind. You can't attempt step towing without the Koch style release. If something goes wrong, you wouldn't have time to release with any other type of release. The winch design and operator is key for step-towing. It is an art for sure. You have to be in-sync with the operator. Communication is key
Inherently a very dangerous method of towing, ripe with generating a lockout. The type of description of pilots that hit sound like- “crushed chest cavity”,…. there are better safer ways to get air.
ALL forms of launching are dangerous. Proper training and progression is key. Can you explain your "crushed chest cavity" remark? After at least 15,000 tows like this, we have never had a single bruised rib...
Zero problems disconnection. There was a slight snag at the drum on his downwind (a big hazzard with step-towing). That is why we only use Koch-style releases as the release is always at the same location and a fast release gets you free of the rope. Never step-tow without a release like that. Trying to find a release string takes too long and is not nearly as reliable.
The one in this video is a self-made hydraulic winch. But we are now making a portable electric winch capable of doing the same as you see in this video. www.instinct.pro/vortex
