Skylaunch 2 drum and Uno winch

[S Aero]

Are there any operators in the U.S. that have purchased a single drum Skylaunch Uno winch? If so, what was the price?

Anybody, purchase a 2 drum Skylaunch in the past 5 years? If so, price and shipping to the U.S. ?

Seems as we go along, winching is expected to be more economical than the Pawnee tugs even considering the initial investment cost.

[Paul Agnew]

I have their price sheet that I just picked up in Reno.

The Skylaunch "Uno" (1 drum) for special projects:

1 drum, ready to launch $78,000
Kit (Club Build) 1 drum $45,000

Hope that helps.

Paul

[Bill Tisdale]

That 2 drum winch at Reno was a beast! 4Ton on the trailer. I believe the price was $100K for the 2 drum winch, ready to fly. It had some extras like control box shade extensions, radio set up, etc.

Bill

[Brian Roach]

I was out at the convention and was very impressed with the Skylaunch. I talked to the guys, they have manufactured ~125 units, and as a result have no doubt discovered a bunch of ways to (not) make such a unit. The pricing for a 2-drum unit, the one on the floor, is $95K, probably FOB somewhere in the UK. They reckoned it would be shipped on a RoRo carrier.

Even after shipping, the cost looks to be approximately the same as a Pawnee 260 in good condition. Maybe a touch more? And having suffered mightily with the cost, availability, and frustration of keeping 50-60 year old Pawnees on the line, my guess is the continued pain and expense would be bunch less. It's certainly fun flying a Pawnee, but I'd be happier flying my glider instead.

Leaving out the need for a physically suitable site, it's no-news that everyone at a gliderport has to train and organize themselves differently for winching. Not to be minimized, even if the crew is feeling receptive.

Anyways, I'd be happy to hear from anyone in CONUS that's operating one, interested in taking a field trip to see one operating, and oh-by-the-way, you got any interest in trailing your unit to the west coast for a clinic or two?

Brian
Brian-dot-L-dot-Roach1-AT-gmail-dot-com
MM

[Frank Whiteley]

The owners mentioned something about going to Hood River and Ephrata with the Skylaunch, so a West Coast tour might be arranged. A prior conversation indicated a second Skylaunch might be imported. Engines need to be installed domestically. A prior import with a US engine installed overseas was denied EPA approval and was exported. There are a couple of Tost based winches in the US. CAP has a couple of Roman's winches in the US (new web site domain https://romansdesignmachines.com/), there's one in Washington, and several in Canada and there are a few Gehrlein designs or similar around, including a few ex-ATC winches from Canada. There are also some 'creative' designs. There are also some project winches around, those needing some restoration, and a couple of electric winch projects.

Frank Whiteley

[Mark Lambert]

[Mark Lambert]

On Wednesday, March 1, 2023 at 8:03:56 PM UTC-7, Frank Whiteley wrote:

Hi Frank,

I met you and your wife at Reno. I was one of the representatives of the company that brought the dual drum Skylaunch EVO to the display floor. We have brought the winch back to Arizona, using it as the exclusive method of launching gliders at our new gliderport at Superior, AZ (E81 Superior Municipal Airport). We have performed more than 400 launches (without a rope break!!) and everyone has been extremely pleased with the experience. The graded dirt runway is only 2,646, so we are able to launch our SGS 2-33 to about 1,100 feet AGL. Thankfully, this mountain location usually provides immediate lift not far from the pattern, so altitude gains of 5-6,000 feet are not uncommon.
Our company, Aerial Engagement, has been appointed as the exclusive distributor in the US of Skylaunch Winches. I would be happy to answer any questions or arrange for a winch demonstration for those who would like to see one. How can I help?

[Mark Lambert]