towing recomendations wanted

Our city is located in flat country far from any mountains, therefore we can not fly so frequently as we would like. Therefore now we begin development of the towing system for paragliders. We have not experience of towing flights, therefore we shall be grateful for any information on this kind of flights. Whether it is possible to find either delineations of the simple towing system or recommendation for its designing? Where we can find the information on a technique of takeoff with tow? Whether are available WWW-site, devoted to this kind of flights? We shall be grateful for the help and we hope to find the new friends.

Andrew and other

Hello Andrew

My own towing-experience is limited to a one day-course with Walter and Rainer Ammann near Zurich/Switzerland with their towing-system they have built themselves. I think they could help you more.

There is some information (in german) and pictures about towing on their homepages: http://www.centralnet.ch/publipages/takeoff/ to_winden.htm or http://www.agri.ch/bauern/lu/peyerhof/flug.htm

Their e-mail is:

I hope you get your system ready soon to experience this new kind of gliding

Can someone comment on/describe experiences with towing/winch-launch for paragliders? Specifically, the safety aspects, equipment required, things that can go wrong and how to resolve them, etc.

Thanks,

Also very important, FIT A WEAK LINK !!!

It should break at about 100-120% of your total take off weight.

Use Dyneema or similar, test it before using it, test each new batch.

It'll save on wear and extreme stress on the canopy, and could just save your life.

Thanks for your answer.

How long a line is required (ie: what is glide ratio on climb) and how much space?

What is towing speed (assuming zero wind) of the scooter?

By 'payout system', do you mean a 'winch'?

I presume all the solutions require someone on the ground. What sort of training is needed for that person?

Lots more questions, but this is a start! Perhaps a detailed description of the tow procedure would be of interest to all!

A lot of information is available on http://www.moneus.se/john/parap_toff.htm

However the key thing is not to do anything stupid that other people already have experienced.

My advice: 1. Attend a towing course 2. Use very light pressures close to ground(ie below 100 meters) (otherwise unexperinced pilots are very likely to lock-out) 3. _ALWAYS_ use tow pressure meter, a weak-link and high quality releases in both ends.

//have funs and safe flights , best regards Jonas