Re: [RCSE] High-Start Story

[Chuck Anderson]

Don't have any high start stories because I have never owned one.  I 
started thermal soaring with power pod models in 1964.  When I decided to 
give pure thermal soaring a try in 1971, I built a gasoline powered winch 
around an ancient cast iron Briggs and Stratton 3 hp engine.  When the 
centrifugal clutch was properly adjusted, to disengage at idle, it gave a 
very smooth launch.  Just step on the foot throttle to regulate the 
tension.  The winch was too big and heavy and the surgical tubing use in 
most 1971 high starts didn't have a very long life so I built my first 
electric winch around an aluminum drum built by a fellow club member and 
some angle iron from his scrap box.  Ran the winch from my car battery with 
jumper cables.  My only cost was $19.95 for the rebuilt Ford starter motor 
and a couple of dollars for a solenoid, less than the cost of a high 
start.  Still have the first winch, however it has gone through 3 motors 
and is on a new frame.   Don't use it any more because I now have a modern 
winch and retriever mounted on a trailer.  Don't even use that very often 
because  Brian , Herb, or Kendall have one of their winch trailers at  the 
field every time I want to fly.   Anytime the weather is good, all I have 
to do is give one of them a call and say "Lets fly".  Ain't retirement 
wonderful.

Chuck Anderson 

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