Photography and article: Kessack Young-Smith
What we see here is a launch method that is available (to my knowledge) at only one site in the UK. Bungee.
| Preparing to bungee |
Feels a bit like it sounds really! Apparently this method has been used at Dunstable in the past. Somewhat surprisingly the log book entry for 'Type of Launch,' is 'C'! Amongst other things you and your glider get helped off the ridge by no fewer than 6 people: 3 on each side, forward of the glider, tensioning a "Y" shaped elastic by running down the ridge on 'all out !' When you can run no further the pilot releases the wheel brake.
 | Bungeeing over the edge |
I considered that with the wind directly onto the ridge at 55kts - on our day - the glider could simply have been pushed off the edge! However I remembered that old couthy Scottish saying "damn few an' were a died" - and thought better of it. The wind was REALLY strong ! If you have a look at Tom's hair - he's holding the port wing in the first photo - you can see how it is swept back in the ferocious wind (No! It's not that it's like that because he hasn't washed it for weeks !) A horizontal wind sock is not enough to get you off the ground safely. A important aspect of Bungee launching, as well as wind orthogonally onto the ridge, is constant wind speed - gusting is dangerous.
 | Take-off into the hill lift |
The launch was fantastic. The stick is held somewhat forward initially to ensure the glider attains some momentum - which comes quickly, allowing the glider to punch through the 45-55 kt oncoming air and climb 'instantly' in the ridge lift. The launch/airborne transition is very smooth and within seconds safe height is gained and the glider is soaring.
 | Soaring away |
Further details of this flight can be found in my log book (which gladly is not posted here!)
The downwind leg - pointing directly onto the ridge - was very fast. Higher wind conditions make for higher landing speeds, and this was the day for nominal landing speed plus the WHOLE of the wind speed. So the downwind leg was fast - a ground speed of 115kts (50kts wind speed + 65kts indicated)! This certainly felt like it. We did our final turn at 800ft and came in at 100kts indicated (55 landing + 45 wind speed) with full brake. Somewhat surprisingly rounding out feels very slow - partly because ground speed and ASI indication are much in variance. Holding off is precisely controlled - allowing the glider to float in - to some extent on a chosen spot - just like a feather!! Once on the field you sit tight - strapped in - till many hands come and help you and your glider back to the launch point (i.e., rescue)!!
Time frames on this approach are small - and it is off putting to find oneself 'propelling' along at 100kts and then the next moment at 5kts, ground speed, floating in to touch down. The ASK21 buffets quite a lot on finals with a full brake high speed approach. Till things are considered and make sense a little later - the unusual conditions, for a 'flatlander' like me, are a little baffling.
The 'bungee' experience provides a 'rush' or 'thrill' that I only hope to experience again - soon. I felt that kind of 'pioneer feeling' of real flying without power that I last experienced with intensity during my initial pre-solo flights. I will certainly be going back. Midland made us really welcome. The weekend was a lot of fun for all. If you know of any other site that does this please drop me an email. I'd be curious to know.
Just in case you're wondering - the chap flying the glider in the pictures is our CFI - Ricey.