06/01/2025
Launching!
Reverse, forward, Cobra? How do YOU do it? There are a few kiting techniques, that can help you decide, what to do, and when to do it.
In higher wind, solid wing control matters. Here is a higher wind landing, with a reverse, to cobra, maneuver, that depowers the wing, as it settles down into place. https://youtu.be/UxRe2v8a3xw
This applies to a launch, as well, as seen here, earlier that same day. https://youtu.be/ChTIBtA1RB8
Ideally, conditions are 4-6mph, and steady, but, that is rare. Sometimes, there is no wind at all. Nil wind can be challenging. You need to keep forward momentum, and have a smooth inflation. Body mechanics, throttle control, and brake input, all play a solid role, in having a good launch.
Once the wing is above your head, the taxi phase begins. This is where you make corrections, with the wing, and throttle, to prepare for take off.
Before you roll on throttle, to take off, you need to be sure that you have a "good wing" above your head. This means with no strong roll, or pitch, which will translate, to swinging, or deloading, during takeoff. This is where oscillations begin, and problems start, if you are unfamiliar with them.
In this Launch, the pilot inflates, in stronger wind, and when he transitions, to forward, the wing dropped, to his left. This was pilot induced, with uneven pressure applied during the turn. To correct this, he maintains forward tension, and pressure, in the wing, and pulls right brake, while stepping into the low side. Once the wing is level, and turned into wind, he then maintains full power, to takeoff, with slight brake pressure. Notice how steady the pilot is, moving through the air. There is no swing, in any direction. This is because all of the roll, and pitch, were taken out of the wing, during the taxi.
https://youtu.be/IUrSs7TrAag?si=l1ItPMc8w4OPGBWz
Just remember, that there are a lot of moving pieces, and when they are all moving in the right direction, everything goes smoothly.
If you are just getting back out there, after a long stretch, of no flying, or things are just not going so smoothly, Glide America has a 3 day refresher clinic, designed to shake off that "wing rust", with 3 days of training, to make sure that your kiting, is on point, and work out any bugs, that you may be struggling with. Wether its setting up a landing approach, from 500ft, like this. https://youtu.be/pIAZj_B7_SI
or
not taking off like this...
https://youtube.com/shorts/KJuv7b89WR0?feature=share
Then we have you covered. https://www.glideamerica.com/3-day-refresher-course/
www.glideamerica.com
The 3 Day Refresher Clinic is designed, to restore, and, or, boost the confidence, of the Pilot, that has not flown for a while, or is a bit sketchy, with launches, and, or, landings. We will work with you, for 3 days, to identify problems, with your launch, and landing procedures, and discuss fligh...
