jedi
Well-Known Member
From Hanger Flying Mayday Post # 126.
“I have noticed that you perform the reverse launch holding the lines only with one hand. It seems that this had become the mainstream technique for reverse launch, but how about reverse launching by holding each line with a single hand?
Two veteran pilots, have recommended me to do it that way, but I guess that at the end, I have to practice all the techniques, to see which one is best for me?”
There are two common methods of holding the lines for a reverse launch.
One method holds one side of the A lines in each hand, usually with the lines crossed between the hands and the harness. This has the left handing holing the right A lines, etc. therefor each hand controls the same side of the wing as you face the the wing in reverse.
The alternate method places the A lines from both sides of the wing in one hand and both rear risers (or brake lines) in the other hand. Take your choice. I prefer As in the left hand and rear risers in the right handy. You may chose to switch L and R depending on other launch variables or throttle hand if powered.
I find the two hand A line works well in moderate wind conditions as it allows more precise control in the wing lift when it is needed. In strong or gusty winds having the free (non A line) hand on the rear risers allows a quick abort if you are not satisfied with the initial wing inflation. It also allows the pilot to “bounce” the wing with the wing in the “wall” position to test the wind prior to the GO for takeoff decision.
“I have noticed that you perform the reverse launch holding the lines only with one hand. It seems that this had become the mainstream technique for reverse launch, but how about reverse launching by holding each line with a single hand?
Two veteran pilots, have recommended me to do it that way, but I guess that at the end, I have to practice all the techniques, to see which one is best for me?”
There are two common methods of holding the lines for a reverse launch.
One method holds one side of the A lines in each hand, usually with the lines crossed between the hands and the harness. This has the left handing holing the right A lines, etc. therefor each hand controls the same side of the wing as you face the the wing in reverse.
The alternate method places the A lines from both sides of the wing in one hand and both rear risers (or brake lines) in the other hand. Take your choice. I prefer As in the left hand and rear risers in the right handy. You may chose to switch L and R depending on other launch variables or throttle hand if powered.
I find the two hand A line works well in moderate wind conditions as it allows more precise control in the wing lift when it is needed. In strong or gusty winds having the free (non A line) hand on the rear risers allows a quick abort if you are not satisfied with the initial wing inflation. It also allows the pilot to “bounce” the wing with the wing in the “wall” position to test the wind prior to the GO for takeoff decision.
