Ah! So there are twelve winches not launching models while the carts bring the lines back..... how many launches could be done in that time? My guess is that if your doing 8 launches in 90 seconds you could probably launch at least another 8 people or more in the time it takes to drive the lines back and hook everyone up.
At 07:37 PM 12/10/01 -0500, you wrote: >----- Original Message ----- >From: "David J. Schat" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > > Did I read correctly earlier and the winch lines are retrieved by golf > > cart... no regular style retrievers? If this is the case this is one area > > where time can be gained if retrievers could be used (I don't know if they > > could). > >Dave, > > The simple reason for NOT using retrievers IS to speed things up and have >LESS problems. Retrieve lines can break and tangle, then the whole show is >shut down till the line gets fixed. > > I saw this setup last year at the NATS and it WORKS. Heres how it goes. > >Take 12 winches and line them up in a row, placed about 15 feet apart. >Usually launching 8 flyers in a group. The idea is to get them all in the >air in about 90 seconds so they all can fly in pretty much the same air. I >say pretty much because sometimes, at least here on the East coast, 90 >seconds can be the difference of skying out and making your time or missing >that one good thermal and ending up on the ground sooner than intended. > The first flyer launches on command from the winchmaster, who then >immediately instructs the second flyer to get ready. As soon as the first >flyer is topping out the second flyer is given the word to launch. By the >time he has tensioned the line and is starting his launch the first flyer is >off and a 'tapper' moves in to bring the first line down to the turnaround >at the far end of the field. And so it goes right down the line till all are >in the air. > There are two or three tappers, usually, for each flight group. Their sole >job is to move in right after the flyer has zoomed and pedal the line to the >ground. In this way there is never any problems with retriever line breaks >fouling up the flight line. > The 'extra' winches are in case a flyer breaks a line during launch. This >is when the winchmaster immediately instruct said flyer to move to an open >winch. All the winches are numbered and assignments for each flyer is random >and written on the score card so there is no question on the flight line >where each flyer is to be launching initially. If a flyer is given a >relaunch he comes down immediately as the winchmaster scopes out an open, >available winch. > The lines are all retrieved at the same time, after all the flyers are in >the air and the next group of flyers is getting ready to be staged in the >ready area. Usually kids of the flyers, using golf carts retrieve the lines. >While the flyers are launching the kids are waiting at the turnarounds. >After all are in the air they hook up two winch lines to each cart and pull >them back to the winches. Then back they go to wait for the next group. > They also have a good system for impounding and staging all the Tx's. This >also includes a system for turning in the score cards and Tx's after the >flight. Pick up your radios with score cards, complete with clipboards, to >ready for your flight. Then it's out to the staging area to see if everyone >is there that is suppose to be in that group. An official checks off all >flyers from his list. If so, flyers are released to walk to the launching >area. And so it goes on all day. > > This all sounds a bit complex but is really one of the best systems, if you >have the manpower and the equipment. RCSE-List facilities provided by Model Airplane News. Send "subscribe" and "unsubscribe" requests to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
