Forward Launch Technique

Although avoided by many pilots, forward launching in no or little wind I feel is a good skill to have. Be sure to clear well the lines, position yourself (and pull) square to the glider, try to get a look at the glider as it comes above you, and run aggressively.

Click on the photo below to see me do a no-wind forward launch at Cornet Peak, New Zealand (650k video file).

- Click on the photo to see the launch -
(Video courtesy of Nico De Witte)

Equipment note: Heavier gliders using heavy fabric for both the bottom and top surfaces, such as the APCO gliders, will be harder to forward launch, as will gliders with longer lines and higher aspect ratios. I have personally seen several pilots go from poor forward launchers to reasonable forward launchers by just (at my advice) changing from a heavy, high-aspect ratio DHV 1/2 glider to a 1/2 glider with friendlier launch characteristics. Sure, one can always blame poor launching on poor pilot technique, but why not have a glider that makes launching easier?