[Bob Kuczewski]

New topic on Oz: Constant tension electric winch

From: https://instinct.pro/collections/vortex

We are ready to announce this exciting project we have been working on all this season - we are manufacturingthe first commercially-available all-ELECTRIC hang gliding stationary winch!

We feel it could be quite revolutionary in the industry. The power is there to even tow tandem hang gliders. The intelligence is there to automate the winch operator's job to make it easy for new winch operators to increase your flying communities number of flights.

AND, the foundation is there for us to implement remote-control winch operating - imagine being able to tow yourself up where you want, when you want....all with no need for crew to assist you!

The key feature is the torque-regulated abilities....you just dial in the desired max tow tension and the winch moderates the speed the drum turns to automatically adjust to give the pilot a constant tow pressure, regardless of hitting a wind gust, thermals or sink while on tow.

It is also incredibly portable! There are three components - the motor/drum, the controller box and the battery. All are light enough that they can be taken in and out of an SUV trunk and mounted on your trailer hitch as desired. No storing an entire trailer somewhere - take your winch home and go out to fly where the conditions are prime - rather than relying on a dedicated club site.

We will be taking pre-orders right away with hopes of spring 2022 delivery. We have flight tested the prototype to our satisfaction but are making some alterations for the final configuration. Prices aren't finalised yet but are working on some accurate ball-park figures. As we add features and improve some components, the prices will only go up from what we have listed.

Instinct Windsports

The Vortex SmartWinch
$7,260.00 USD $24,202.00 USD

A Vortex is Coming!!! The Ultimate in Stationary/Static Winches - and all electric!

Designed and made in-house here at Instinct Windsports. The technology, motor power, battery power and cost have finally come together to allow us integrate these technologies together to bring you a VERY powerful, VERY small and VERY cost effective single winch that can meet all your hang gliding (...and paragliding...and skydiving) needs.

What is a vortex? "Sedona vortices are thought to be swirling centers of energy that are conducive to healing, meditation and self-exploration. These are places where the earth seems especially alive with energy. Many people feel inspired, recharged or uplifted after visiting a vortex. "
Vortex - once you read the above, I am sure you will agree it is a fitting name for this product!!

As of July 2021, we are just putting the finishing touches on our Phase 1 of the project and will begin our flight testing. We have spent over a year researching components and it has taken six months to get in the special ordered custom motors, controllers and a battery to get the sustained power we need for towing hang gliders.

We have yet to put a final price on Phase 1 but will be working on that once we can guarantee it meets our power requirements and finalize our design we can offer to the world.

Prices are estimated (and rounded up hopefully). Final configurations are not set. The "Full" version will be coming first and we are only just considering a "Mini" size at this point. The version we have now (Fall 2021) is the Full version with the idea of maxing out all components we could integrate to get the max power possible - it will be able to tow a tandem and rigid hang gliders. It is getting quite heavy as we are beefing it up...

So we may try to make a light-weight one capable of only towing solo gliders (HG & PG) in a smaller form-factor unit. Easier to get in and out of a trunk, MUCH smaller and less expensive battery. Much lighter - possible fiber drum and aluminum housing. Maybe even small enough to take it as luggage!

Price does NOT include battery (sold separately)

Current Inventory Levels
**if stock of zero is shown and you can still add the item to you cart, you can place the order and we will advise on a delivery time

Full (Tandem) - 0 in Stock
Mini (Solo) - 0 in Stock

[Bill Cummings]

New topic on Oz: Constant tension electric winch

From: https://instinct.pro/collections/vortex

We are ready to announce this exciting project we have been working on all this season - we are manufacturingthe first commercially-available all-ELECTRIC hang gliding stationary winch!

We feel it could be quite revolutionary in the industry. The power is there to even tow tandem hang gliders. The intelligence is there to automate the winch operator's job to make it easy for new winch operators to increase your flying communities number of flights.

AND, the foundation is there for us to implement remote-control winch operating - imagine being able to tow yourself up where you want, when you want....all with no need for crew to assist you!

The key feature is the torque-regulated abilities....you just dial in the desired max tow tension and the winch moderates the speed the drum turns to automatically adjust to give the pilot a constant tow pressure, regardless of hitting a wind gust, thermals or sink while on tow.

It is also incredibly portable! There are three components - the motor/drum, the controller box and the battery. All are light enough that they can be taken in and out of an SUV trunk and mounted on your trailer hitch as desired. No storing an entire trailer somewhere - take your winch home and go out to fly where the conditions are prime - rather than relying on a dedicated club site.

We will be taking pre-orders right away with hopes of spring 2022 delivery. We have flight tested the prototype to our satisfaction but are making some alterations for the final configuration. Prices aren't finalised yet but are working on some accurate ball-park figures. As we add features and improve some components, the prices will only go up from what we have listed.

Instinct Windsports

The Vortex SmartWinch
$7,260.00 USD $24,202.00 USD

A Vortex is Coming!!! The Ultimate in Stationary/Static Winches - and all electric!

Designed and made in-house here at Instinct Windsports. The technology, motor power, battery power and cost have finally come together to allow us integrate these technologies together to bring you a VERY powerful, VERY small and VERY cost effective single winch that can meet all your hang gliding (...and paragliding...and skydiving) needs.

What is a vortex? "Sedona vortices are thought to be swirling centers of energy that are conducive to healing, meditation and self-exploration. These are places where the earth seems especially alive with energy. Many people feel inspired, recharged or uplifted after visiting a vortex. "
Vortex - once you read the above, I am sure you will agree it is a fitting name for this product!!

As of July 2021, we are just putting the finishing touches on our Phase 1 of the project and will begin our flight testing. We have spent over a year researching components and it has taken six months to get in the special ordered custom motors, controllers and a battery to get the sustained power we need for towing hang gliders.

We have yet to put a final price on Phase 1 but will be working on that once we can guarantee it meets our power requirements and finalize our design we can offer to the world.

Prices are estimated (and rounded up hopefully). Final configurations are not set. The "Full" version will be coming first and we are only just considering a "Mini" size at this point. The version we have now (Fall 2021) is the Full version with the idea of maxing out all components we could integrate to get the max power possible - it will be able to tow a tandem and rigid hang gliders. It is getting quite heavy as we are beefing it up...

So we may try to make a light-weight one capable of only towing solo gliders (HG & PG) in a smaller form-factor unit. Easier to get in and out of a trunk, MUCH smaller and less expensive battery. Much lighter - possible fiber drum and aluminum housing. Maybe even small enough to take it as luggage!

Price does NOT include battery (sold separately)

Current Inventory Levels
**if stock of zero is shown and you can still add the item to you cart, you can place the order and we will advise on a delivery time

Full (Tandem) - 0 in Stock
Mini (Solo) - 0 in Stock

Keep in mind that not always does a pilot want constant tension on the towline.
If you get gusted 90 degrees from the tow path the pilot will want to pull in on the hang gliders control bar to reduce tension. If the mindless automated winch adjusts to maintain the
preset tension at the moment the pilot doesn't want tension it would be like not having an off switch on the automatic pilot system.
If the release fails and the pilot pushes out to break the weak-link the mindless winch will give the pilot more line so that the weak-link can't be broken. That too is a bad side effect of constant tension. It is almost impossible to design a winch that will correct for all eventualities automatically.

[KaiMartin]

New topic on Oz: Constant tension electric winch

We are ready to announce this exciting project we have been working on all this season - we are manufacturing the first commercially-available all-ELECTRIC hang gliding stationary winch!

Apparently, someone is not aware of the Molywinch, the Elowin or the AC/DC. These commercially available all electric winches got approved by the DHV in 2014, 2019 and 2021, respectively (see the list of DHV approved winches). The price tag on the molywinch is a little on the steep side and marketing efforts are basically missing. So it is not exactly a bestseller. The AC/DC is a special case too, as it is offered as an upgrade to conventional winches. You literally have to strip the motor from your old gasoline operated winch and hand it in so they can install the electric drive. The Elowin is a conventional product that is actually available. Although Nova is one of the major PG manufacturers, the winch is certified for HG operation, too. It is even approved for tandem operation.

---<)kaimartin(>---

[Bob Kuczewski]

Apparently, someone is not aware of the Molywinch, the Elowin or the AC/DC. These commercially available all electric winches got approved by the DHV in 2014, 2019 and 2021, respectively (see the list of DHV approved winches).

Thanks (as always) for enriching us with more information!!