Forward launch technique, nill wind

Sat Apr 25, 2009 7:00 pm by Oisin Creagh

100% commitment from Dean!

A technique used by many pilots as normal, but new to the three of us lazy 'powerlaunchers' was show to us by Paul in Portugal. It helped launch the wing with better chance of even inflation and less likelyhood of wing collapsing in the centre. This simply involved setting up the wall as normal, or in nil wind, laying wing out in normal crescent shape, and then pulling the centre of the wing back slightly. ( away from pilot) I have seen this done before, but was impressed at how much it helped with nil wind launches. It has the simple effect of pulling the centre A risers first, lifting the middle of the wing before the edges. Nice tip and after a demonstration, it worked every time.

Paul's reason for pushing this launch, is that it is less likely to lead to (school) equipment damage which can result from the power launch going wrong!

Oisin

Sat Apr 25, 2009 7:51 pm by Gordon Dunn

Yes Oisin- i've had a lot of success with this technique too. I'd use it in light/zero winds. The logic behind it is that the centre inflates first regardless of what ever else is going on- then the cross-port venting system inflates the outer cells of the wing equally. It's important that the pull is from the 'waist' and you dont push your hands forward with the 'A's when you begin the run. Also don't let the wing loose any momentum on the way up.. keep moving forward and put the power on and keep a little pressure behind the 'A's until you feel the wing above you.
If either end of the wing inflates too early during the launch, and its asymettric- the wing will have a tendancy to rotate- and you will loose the launch.

GD

Forward launch technique, nill wind

Forward launch technique, nill wind

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