Facts

In Europe winch launching has been the main launching method since the beginning of flight. Winches offer a higher launch capacity in just a fraction of the cost of aerotow, making gliding an affordable sport for a wide public. The intenser use of gliders is very effective, leaving room for investments in modern fleets.

Did you know that on conventional winches 50% of the operational cost are spend on cable repair and replacement? Through research and extensive testing we have effectively reduced cable wear on Plasma cables.


What makes Hydrowinch stand out of the crowd? Where others still use conventional torque converters to drive the drums, we take advantage of the unique features of hydraulic drives:

  TORQUE CONVERTER HYDROWINCH
EFFICIENCY Low efficiency at low speed
Causes heat generation
Overheating with longer ropes		 Very high efficiency at low speed

Rope length unlimited
RIGIDITY No overload protection Overload protected
FLIGHT SAFETY Weak links can break
1 - with aggressive throttle input 
2 - when entering a thermal		 Electronic force control
prevents these failures
LAUNCH SPEED TOO HIGH

To reduce lauch speed:

Action 1 - Signal "too fast"
Action 2 - Reduce engine throttle

Winch driver controls launch speed

To reduce launch speed:


Action - Pilot pulls stick


Pilot in control of launch speed
LAUNCH SPEED TOO LOW To increase launch speed:

Action 1 - Nose down
Action 2 - Increase engine throttle

Winch driver controls launch speed		 To increase launch speed:


Action - Ease (push) stick


Pilot in control of launch speed
RELEASE HEIGHT Typical release height = 1200 ft.
With 3500 ft. rope		 Gains 10% by acceleration
Gains 10% in climb
Gains 10% by optimized controls system
 
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