Who wants the plains with the paraglider to come up, which depends on the wind started. The secure entry into the thermal is so rare but not guaranteed. Often, the release height will remain below those heights reached in which a thermal tubes centerable size. Or to get out while high, but is caught in exactly the thermal cycle phase in which it only goes downhill. Even greater heights and longer towing time would be desirable.
makes this possible levels of drag: Latches onto the pilot after the first towing is not the same, but flies back with suspended rope and disengaged winds over the starting position, where he set out again to the winds, and is then pulled further. Release height of over 1,000 meters are available in several stages. However, the levels of towing accidents has fallen by some of kite fliers who tried that for years already in Germany a bad name. With a paraglider, he is therefore not practiced. That should change in the future. In a step tow-workshop of the DHV in the Rhine region Sevelen last weekend, the first stage was made.
Here is a Youtube video over steps tow in Holland. The hopes of the film that something is possible in Germany are expected to soon come true:
The Dutchman making that is possible with a paraglider a safe level tow: For years they have lots of experience collected and developed suitable technology. Meanwhile, regularly launched by towing centers in the Netherlands such as Toldijk impressive lowland flights that do not often well over 100 km to the north of Germany. German pilots from the Lower Rhine have been pursuing for some time now jealous beyond the bustle of the border and ask themselves: Why does it not us? Martin took food last year, the initiative and did the DHV and especially the drag Representative Horst Barthelmes the word.
Barthelmes was impressed and soon realized the potential. However, he warned that the stepped trailing in Germany had only one chance, if for the technology, the site selection and training of German law and the applicable regulations would be revised. To discuss provision of the necessary principles, invited the DHV in late February at a workshop in Sevelen . It should be a promising meeting with about 30 participants, including several Dutch pilots and Winch operator, who reported on their experiences.
The initial flight demonstrations were under severe conditions: The wind blew squally from south of the east-west path of the towed glider space Sevelen. Ado was dragged across the path along a dirt roads. When the wind speeds no towing was necessary steps to achieve great heights. Nevertheless, only showed the Dutch around Jan Meerbeek the drag center Toldijk their skills, then led Markusberg house before the flight school Active Zone that even with a German wind Kirchner is levels towing possible K6 (Photo: Towing performance K6 with built-in cable brake) . the afternoon and evening, the theoretical work on the program. It quickly became clear that Germany does not need to drag the steps to re-invent a close cooperation with the Dutch, in order to benefit from their experience is desirable.
January Meerbeek made clear in a well-founded argument that follow the "classical" Towing and steps tow a slightly different philosophy. While in the classical case (the German practice) all came down to reach as greatest heights to find einemn verglängerten slipping in luck thermal connection, the step aims to drag the Dutch variant primarily on the pilots to settle in a thermal. Whether this happens in 150m or 650m high, after one, three or five levels is not important. A pilot will remain on the rope, step by step making, searching from the area ahead of the winds, until he finds a thermal somewhere, disengages, pivots and flies away. In general, the pilots in the Netherlands were hauled once a day, they were away (flown), so Meerbeek. "And the later they come back home, the wider the grin on her face."
However, this practice means that each tow takes much longer, on average, about 10 minutes. For pilots, that the quasi- Warranty on the ground waiting to be towed until later in the thermals, but easy to get over that. This is of course only if there are not too many.
Lesson 1: steps tow is mainly something to haul travelers in smaller groups.
Jan's Towing terrain in Toldijk measures only 300 x 300 meters. On the quadratic field can be dragged out in every direction. At the higher levels will, however, flew over the proper limits of the drag out area there, too to go on thermals.
Lesson 2: step-drag is also relatively small drag out possible sites.
The maximum flight distance rope depends on the altitude: always have the safe reeling of the cable must be guaranteed after the release, without risking that it lies over trees, roads or houses. Here the wind driver is needed that gives pilots the appropriate instructions via radio, when to turn back. Strict compliance with such requirements of the wind guide is a must! In general, the role and responsibility of the leader in wind drag levels is much greater. He gives the pilot by radio, in which direction they should turn on the rope to go on thermals. This had proved in practice, says sea teens. "A pilot is always under stress when towing. The other gets did not. From the ground, the experienced wind guide a larger overview. "Where were already thermal approaches noticeable when turning the birds? Thither the winch operator's pilot steers the rope. That's only radio contact. Without radio contact is not a step tow possible to fall out of radio, If the tractor is broken
Lesson 3: form pilot and winch operator at the levels drag a team, with the wind guide the pilots actively supported by radio with the thermals takes a lot of experience
The biggest risk in.. tow levels is that the pilot on the rope at the wrong time again attracted is. Whether because of the wind driver engages too early or because the rope gets caught somewhere and thus breaks around the pilot. To mitigate the consequences of such cases or to avoid altogether, the Dutch have developed a special safety latch. These triggers, similar to a ski binding automatically when there are more lateral traction. To be solved only with structurally rigid handles (no Gurtbandklinke). Each pawl is adjusted to the weight of the pilot (adjustable spring). Since then, this variant is used in Holland, where it has no more accidents associated with the actual towing. (Photo: Jan Meerbeek demonstrated as with a simple device with a spring balance, the resistance of the lateral release of the latch set) Lesson 4: Stages drag requires a special, rigid safety latch with automatic release for lateral train. Gurtbandklinken are out! requires
special technique also to the winch. First, the transmission can be built so that in the uncoupled state for pulling the ropes, only a small amount of force is necessary. The most common wind types in Germany (with VW engine) can not meet this requirement. January Meerbeek winds based on an engine of the Honda Civic with automatic transmission, which for this Purpose is reinforced. However, these winds there has not been an automatic draft control, as prescribed by the DHV in Germany. Wind farm with its K6 Dieter Kircher promises a gradual slow viable solution, as this does not require differential and its frictional resistance. Second, it is important to slow the drums when pulling the rope in the air as needed to avoid unnecessary rope throws and sagging. Theoretically, this could take over a winch operator manually, but this requires an enormous amount of dexterity and concentration, which is impractical in the long run. January Meerbeek has therefore developed an automatic system with an air brake. Once the cable tension decreases, opens a solenoid valve and release the brake pipe, the drum is braked and the cable tension is back. Basis of the typical rhythmic blasts of air that are audible, a winch operator could even detect when and where a pilot flies straight at the back crosses a thermally active zone, Meerbeek. (Photo: Jan Meertens explains the operation of the air by pressure-activated, automatic brake cable)
Lesson 5: For the steps it needs suitable towing winches with low Ausrollwiderstand and automatic brake cable .
presented in the course of the workshop Horst Barthelmes his thoughts and opinions to Practice and legal levels of towing up for discussion. The most important points in the summary: The tap
- for towing gliders in Germany to come. However, this is only under the current law. The German rules will be somewhat stricter than in Holland.
- The biggest problem looks Barthelmes at the sites. They have to get specifically for towing an advanced stage approval ("step capable of being dragged). That will not always be easy. Because according to German law prohibits tow ropes are dropped only one place to fly. Since the levels drag but often far beyond the actual boundaries of the drag area will be flown out, either this extended space would also have to put in the admission or the allowed flight envelope will be limited from the outset strongly. Safety-related obstacles in the environment (eg roads, power lines, etc.) might more often lead to some ground by the witness as "unsuitable for towed levels" classified.
- Another problem is the available winds. Currently, there are few models that have been progressively flexible (low resistance to draw, automatic brake cable extension). Most clubs that are interested in drag levels are apparently have to look for new technology. Moreover, wind farm to be asked to meet this demand.
- New clinics are also needed. Barthelmes will also set the stage for towing in Germany handles with side safety release. This could be developed and distributed by Jan Meerbeek model will soon be the first to show that it gets a DHV. The catch will cost around 200 €.
- for the step each interested tow pilot and winch operator will have to make additional training. Basic requirement for pilots, the B-form. The training is through flight school. Later but should also "briefing entitled winch operator with sufficient levels of experience towing winch operator other continue their education in the association must. The first German ski steps teachers will receive their training in Holland.
