How do you get the gliders in the air?

Actually there are several ways from simply throwing it in the air (better know as handlaunching) to towing the glider up with some rubber tubing and a string with a parachute (Hi-Start or Bungee launch) , tow it up with a winch, throw it off a hill or tow it up with a power plane (aerotow). Our club members have winches that are available for member use. This is the preferred method at our club because we can launch to an altitude of 400' to 700' giving us a better chance of catching lift.

Handlaunch

I personally have a lot of fun with a simple discus handlaunch glider (DLG). The typical hand launch glider these days have a peg in one wing allowing you to spin around like a discus thrower and whip the glider into the air. My launches typically reach a height of 50' to 75' or more. Others can throw as high as 150' or more. I have a great feeling of personal accomplishment when I throw a handlaunch up, catch a thermal and speck it out. A handlaunch is a relatively easy way to learn to fly and "read' the air. You also learn a lot of control by guiding the plane back to yourself for a catch and launch (I'm to lazy to walk far to pick it up)

Hi-Start or Bungee Launch

This is a low cost and effective way of launching a glider. Putting it simply, it's like a big rubber band that you stretch out and hook a ring to a hook on the glider. When you release the plane the energy you stored by pulling the elastic material is released and pulls the glider forward and upward. There are several good companies that produce pre-made Hi-Starts or you can build your own. Here is an excellent description regarding hi-starts:

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=155353

This web page has an excellent description of what a hi-start is:

http://www.labyrinth.net.au/~learmont/HiStart.html

The Hosemonster is a great hi-start made by Mark Mech and has sizes for 2 meter, 3 meter and larger sailplanes. Northeast sailplane products sells the Pinnacle Hi-Start and has several models for small to large planes.

Hi-Starts are excellent for those days when you skip work because the puffy white clouds are calling and it's just you the plane and the sky.

Winch Launching

Most of our club members launch using a winch. The winches we have use a 12 volt starter motor winding a strong dacron line (250 lb. test) on an aluminum drum. From the winch, the line is run out to a pulley around 600' out and returns to the plane. When you push a foot switch the motor turns, winding the line and pulls the sailplane forward and upward. The plane travels in an arc upward and when the plane crests the arc you pull back the stick and the ring slips off the tow hook. Winch launching can send your sailplane from a few hundred feet of altitude to over 700'. The strength of the launch depends on the ability of your plane to take the stress of a launch. The more expensive molded sailplanes can take significant G's without breaking, even when you hold the foot switch down (full pedal). For built up sailplane where the wing is not as strong, we press and release the pedal to reduce the speed of ascent.

The photo below shows a typical launch. The pilot has just launched the plane and it has started it's climb. The seated person is waiting for the plane to come off the line at the top of the launch and will activate the retriever which will bring the line back for the next launch. Another pilot is waiting in line to launch and two other pilots are in the background flying.

Below is a photo of several winches lined up for a multiple plane launch during our 2 meter contest. Most of the winches we have are trailer mounted, however the one in the foreground is basically the same.

Aerotow

Aerotow is another type of launch. This is where the glider it towed aloft by a powered model aircraft with a line. Both the aircraft and the glider are separately controlled. When they reach altitude, then the glider releases from the towplane and it's on its own. Here is a link to Jim Bacus' website showing a lot of aerotow pictures:

http://www.jimbacus.net/soaring/JR_Aerotow_2005/

F3J - Handtow

F3J is an international competition. The winch is replaced with humans. Basically, typically two people pull a 150 Meter line and tow the plane up. The rules are very specific. This is a team event with 4 to 8 members. For the specifics go to:

http://www.usf3jteam.com/

There are several other ways for sailplanes to gain altitude. The types above are what our club uses most often.