winch launching a 17 m shk
shkdriver
Anyone have any experience/thoughts to share about winch launching a
shempp-hirth SHK? My example has CG tost hook on gear leg.
Thanks,
Scott W.
--
shkdriver
Andy
HoUdino
ago...climbs like a homesick angel!
LT/HU
GM
wrote:
Should not be a problem. Keep in mind that when the SHK was designed,
winch-launching was the primary take-off method in Germany. Even some
of the earlier glass ships like the ASW-15a did have only a CG-hook
while the aero-tow hook was an option.
Michael Clarke
Scott,
I had a 17m SHK many years ago. The difference between minimum and maximum
all up weight was about 20 lbs which made one very careful about spinning.
I never had problems launching behind a car, but a very experienced pilot
at Lasham spun his in from a wire launch.
Are you fully experienced on winch launching? A modern high power winch is
rather different to the F100 trucks we used to use for launching, and I
would say that the SHK could bite a little more than some gliders if you
are too sudden with your pull up or if you pull too hard. A V tail is not
the same as a normal T tail, and I imagine that turbulent air off the wing
at a high angle of attack could possibly cause issues.
I enjoyed the glider very much, but you need to be very careful rigging
the main pin (if you are not aware of this then please do research the
issue, it is on the internet - we had a fatality in the UK this year I
believe because of mis-rigging with this system which is very easy to do)
and watch the CofG and spin characteristics. It will bite if you deviate
too far from best practice on winch launching. The BGA has published very
good notes on winching.
If you already have experience with the SHK and / or you are a higher
hours pilot, then it is fine so long as you treat it with a little more
respect than, for example, a K6e.
Mike
Andy
wrote:
A caution not specific to the SHK but it may apply. For the first
winch launch in any new glider type pay particular attention to seat
back and rudder pedal adjustment. There should be no possibility that
you will slip backward during the launch.
I learned this one the hard way. I had quite a few hours in the Std
Jantar, all aero tow. On my first winch launch I slid backward so my
feet were not in contact with the pedals. I continued the launch with
my elbows frantically clawing for grip on the cockpit side walls but
was able to remain in control. Every other glider I had winched had a
more upright seating position so I had never seen this problem before.
Andy
Martin Gregorie
> A caution not specific to the SHK but it may apply. For the first
> winch launch in any new glider type pay particular attention to seat
> back and rudder pedal adjustment. There should be no possibility that
> you will slip backward during the launch.
>
I've heard this said about the Discus 1 as well, but though I've winched
them quite a bit I've not experienced it myself so it must only apply to
pilots who prefer a seating position that's different from mine. I can
imagine that with the seat fairly well forward the straps would be pretty
much horizontal behind your shoulders and so won't to a lot to stop you
sliding up the back of the seat.
Bottom line: Making quite sure your straps are tight is even more
important for winch than aero-tow due to the higher initial acceleration
and much steeper climb-out.
--
martin@ | Martin Gregorie
gregorie. | Essex, UK
org |
Frank Whiteley
Good advice. There was an SHK winch fatal many years ago (Scotland?),
where the pins were not fully home. The winch at Scott's club is not
overly powerful, nor is it wimpy for a small block V-8. I've driven
it. We had a phone chat a couple of evenings ago. Although it's been
29 years since I last winched in SHK S/N 1, I think I was able to
provide the normal cautions and caveats. Sure was fun to soar 5 hours
from a 50p ($1) launch;^) Scott's done his homework and actually did
quite a few winch launches during his training in both the trainer and
a light single seater, which is atypical for most US pilots. He's
also driven the winch a fair amount. He doesn't have many hours in
the SHK yet and is not in a big rush to jump on the winch with it.
The club didn't use the winch much during the past year, but has
committed to using it much more in the next, so he's looking forward
to winching the Sh*t Hot Kite (Schempp-Hirth Kirchheim manager's
description, not mine).
Frank Whiteley
Derek C
Same thing happened to me in a DG101 a few years ago. Did a whole
winch launch keeping the stick just off the backstop with my
fingertips and with my feet nowhere near the rudder pedals. Always do
your straps up really tight for a winch launch, and if possible set
the rudder pedals a bit closer than normal. Only use firm cushions
behind you.
Derek C
shkdriver
Somehow the replies are falling on the uav thermalling techniques
subject?
anyway, The POH does address winch launching, and I belive that seeking
out information from others who have actually flown the type in this
regime has great value to me, especially since I have another glider
which was spun and damaged off winch TWICE, while this other glider is
an early standard austria, it is similar enough to warrant additional
preparation.
Larry T, this SHK is your old ship, and thanks for your info, Frank W, I
enjoyed our conversation and thanks for calling.
Anyone else that wants to add, please do.
Tim Barnes
times. I don't recall any particular vices.
What I do recall is switching from an Astir to the SHK one day, getting to
the top of the launch, releasing, going to trim out and pulling the
tail-chute, the knob. being in the same place as the Astir's trimmer.
shkdriver
Tim Barnes;757212 Wrote:
> My previous glider was an SHK and I probably winch launched it about
> 250
> times. I don't recall any particular vices.
> What I do recall is switching from an Astir to the SHK one day, getting
> to
> the top of the launch, releasing, going to trim out and pulling the
> tail-chute, the knob. being in the same place as the Astir's trimmer.
>
>
>
> shkdriver;756982 Wrote: -
> Anyone have any experience/thoughts to share about winch launching a
> shempp-hirth SHK? My example has CG tost hook on gear leg.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Somehow the replies are falling on the uav thermalling techniques
> subject?
> anyway, The POH does address winch launching, and I belive that seeking
> out information from others who have actually flown the type in this
> regime has great value to me, especially since I have another glider
> which was spun and damaged off winch TWICE, while this other glider is
> an early standard austria, it is similar enough to warrant additional
> preparation.
> Larry T, this SHK is your old ship, and thanks for your info, Frank W,
> I
> enjoyed our conversation and thanks for calling.
> Anyone else that wants to add, please do.
>
> Thanks,
> Scott W.
>
>
>
>
> --
> shkdriver
!!! homer Simpson said it best; "DHo!!"
--
shkdriver