SUNDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2017: Bill and I took advantage of unusual southeast winds to go out towing today, on the Exit 116 road. It took a while to get the Falcon 195 set up, and get camera and radios positioned on it. Once we did, though, the operation went well. We did static line towing, and Bill had four flights. One was cut short when the line encountered a mesquite bush, but no harm done to pilot, glider or tow rope. One flight was extended by some thermalling, and I took (I hope) several pictures of Bill landing. We finished and packed up right at sunset, at the end of a beautiful October day. It's great to be a pilot in New Mexico! -Robin
RobinHastings wrote:SUNDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2017: Bill and I took advantage of unusual southeast winds to go out towing today, on the Exit 116 road. It took a while to get the Falcon 195 set up, and get camera and radios positioned on it. Once we did, though, the operation went well. We did static line towing, and Bill had four flights. One was cut short when the line encountered a mesquite bush, but no harm done to pilot, glider or tow rope. One flight was extended by some thermalling, and I took (I hope) several pictures of Bill landing. We finished and packed up right at sunset, at the end of a beautiful October day. It's great to be a pilot in New Mexico! -Robin
Thanks for posting that peek into your static towing operations!!
I was hoping you'd climb out on that one flight, but it was more instructive watching the operation continue. I especially enjoyed watching the release under tension. Do you find that to be a close approximation to a weak link break?
Thanks very much for posting this!!!
Join a National Hang Gliding Organization:US Hawks at ushawks.org View my rating at:US Hang Gliding Rating System Every human at every point in history has an opportunity to choose courage over cowardice. Look around and you will find that opportunity in your own time.
Bill, I posted your excellent share and practices video in the kite-energy world. Note: "AWE" is "airborne wind energy. "AWES WECS" is airborne wind energy system wind energy converting system. One AWE chief technical officer Dave Santos of kPower, Inc., replied to my extension of your video:
dave santos santos137@yahoo.com [AirborneWindEnergy] <AirborneWindEnergy@yahoogroups.com>
8:30 AM (10 hours ago) to AirborneWindEnery
This is fine virtual low-complexity AWE R&D into launching methods. With only a standard automobile, but no special pay-out or tow winch required, the two man team shows how to launch a fairly large (HG) kite that could in principle rate ~30kW as an AWES WECS. A special lesson is the calm unhurried pace of perfecting safe operational practice, dealing with minor issues like a shared public road, a snagged bush, etc..
Compare this KIS practice with all the other launching methods- E-VTOL, catapults, fancy winches, LTA, etc. Simple ground-tow is a higher TRL method than any. Ironically, the COTS TRL9 automobile functions as a "simple" unit, hiding its complexity from operational demand. Ultimately, it seems the electric self-driving car will be the heart of mobile remote AWES rated at 30-100kW. This sort HG similarity-case is the right-stuff to help keep Open AWE moving right along within the pack of well-funded fully-staffed high-complexity ventures.
Bob Kuczewski wrote: I especially enjoyed watching the release under tension. Do you find that to be a close approximation to a weak link break? Thanks very much for posting this!!!
Sounds like Bob is ready for some towing !
IMO a premature weak link break is < or no more than any of Bill's release in this video. Most important to not let the nose pop up, especially when low.
Bob, while doing a hang check, let someone twang a nose wire. That's about what a normal premature release/weak link break feels like, IMO.
I'd like to hear Bill's opinion though, also.
Great video Bill and Robin
Southwest Texas Hang Gliders US Hawks Hang Gliding Assn. Chapter #4
Thanks for posting that peek into your static towing operations!!
I was hoping you'd climb out on that one flight, but it was more instructive watching the operation continue. I especially enjoyed watching the release under tension. Do you find that to be a close approximation to a weak link break?
JoeF wrote:Bill, I posted your excellent share and practices video in the kite-energy world. Note: "AWE" is "airborne wind energy. "AWES WECS" is airborne wind energy system wind energy converting system. One AWE chief technical officer Dave Santos of kPower, Inc., replied to my extension of your video:
dave santos santos137@yahoo.com [AirborneWindEnergy] <AirborneWindEnergy@yahoogroups.com>
8:30 AM (10 hours ago) to AirborneWindEnery
This is fine virtual low-complexity AWE R&D into launching methods. With only a standard automobile, but no special pay-out or tow winch required, the two man team shows how to launch a fairly large (HG) kite that could in principle rate ~30kW as an AWES WECS. A special lesson is the calm unhurried pace of perfecting safe operational practice, dealing with minor issues like a shared public road, a snagged bush, etc..
Compare this KIS practice with all the other launching methods- E-VTOL, catapults, fancy winches, LTA, etc. Simple ground-tow is a higher TRL method than any. Ironically, the COTS TRL9 automobile functions as a "simple" unit, hiding its complexity from operational demand. Ultimately, it seems the electric self-driving car will be the heart of mobile remote AWES rated at 30-100kW. This sort HG similarity-case is the right-stuff to help keep Open AWE moving right along within the pack of well-funded fully-staffed high-complexity ventures.
Thanks Joe for putting my post up on: "AirborneWindEnergy." I did notice the "h," in you address link to the video was missing so I'll add it below. (Maybe Bob can fix it.) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E6IFmX3t2vg
Bob Kuczewski wrote: I especially enjoyed watching the release under tension. Do you find that to be a close approximation to a weak link break? Thanks very much for posting this!!!
Sounds like Bob is ready for some towing !
IMO a premature weak link break is < or no more than any of Bill's release in this video. Most important to not let the nose pop up, especially when low.
Bob, while doing a hang check, let someone twang a nose wire. That's about what a normal premature release/weak link break feels like, IMO.
I'd like to hear Bill's opinion though, also.
Great video Bill and Robin
Yes Sam: "IMO a premature weak link break is < or no more than any of Bill's release in this video. Most important to not let the nose pop up, especially when low." I agree with your statement. If I remember I'll purposely, MILK THE WEAK LINK at the end of tow (tow the weak link to destruction) and get it on video.
I wonder if we could get enough interest for a U.S. Hawks Tow Clinic some time?
Also, I added the "h" to Joe's URL. Thanks for catching that!
Join a National Hang Gliding Organization:US Hawks at ushawks.org View my rating at:US Hang Gliding Rating System Every human at every point in history has an opportunity to choose courage over cowardice. Look around and you will find that opportunity in your own time.
