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Retrieve Winch

Skylaunch Cable Retrieve Winch

This unique high speed winch system increases launch rates up to 30 gliders per hour. It eliminates airfield damage caused by cable tow vehicle and increases life of launching cable.

With a robust design, proven over 15 years’ operation, its many safety features ensure a reliable, easily operated and maintained long life machine.

Thinking about a Cable Retrieve Winch?

The cable retrieve winch is most suited to airfields with any of the following requirements:

  • Need to reduce your overall fuel or energy consumption and reduce carbon footprint etc.
  • Faster launch rate per hour needed at busy times.
  • Issues with soft airfield and ground or vehicle wear and damage.
  • Issues with crosswind and cable landing in unwanted area.

Features

  • The Skylaunch ‘run free’ design ensures launch heights are not noticeably reduced with this system.
  • This lightweight winch is easily towed on an airfield or legally on highway with a 4×4 car.
  • The chassis pivoting wheel chock (with safety interlock) and trailer handbrake ensures safe/rapid set up for launching.
  • A laminated safety glass screen/roof panel with flashing beacon and siren.
  • Simple colour coded controls are ergonomically positioned for safe and accurate control.
  • Easy one-lever operation has a preset speed system. The cable drum brake is automatically controlled.
  • Control panel with information display and light and audible buzzer.
  • Panels and covers are easy access with gas strut assistors or hinge mounted.
  • Lightweight steel cable drum is reinforced large diameter narrow width type, fully machined and balanced with anti-loop guides.
  • No cable pay-on mechanism is required.
  • Cable feeds onto bottom of drum for safer, trouble-free operation.
  • Reliable industrial VW engine with torque converter on output shaft ensures smooth operation.
  • NOW AVAILABLE ON ALL OUR ELECTRIC MODELS
  • Cable entry/exit height is at very low level for launch safety and easy access.
  • Heavy duty guillotine, for steel or synthetic cable, activated by powerful spring.
  • All machines are supplied with on-site training, including detailed Operators’ and Maintenance Manuals.

Retrieve winch FAQs

Yes, drive lever (go / stop lever) is engaged immediately when the glider releases and the parachute opens. On combustion engine powered models, the preset speed control is lowered as the launching cable approaches the winch. On electric models, cable deceleration and stop is automatic. For both, cable brake is automatic.

After glider release, the operator regains cable tension as normal, engages neutral and applies tow-out brake or, depending on winch type, controls brake manually. Most drivers comment it is easier than vehicle retrieve systems.

The cable drum reel-out is free running as the brake is lifted off.  The extra load on the glider is the weight of the retrieve cable in the air, approximately 8 kg for steel cable and only 1.5 kg for synthetic (eg Dyneema).

The winch can be fitted with either steel or synthetic cable. Retrieve winch steel cable 2.5mm in the shop

As both winches are pulling cable in after cable release, any sideways bow in the cable can be almost pulled straight before the cable lands, so it actually can improve operations in cross-winds better than with conventional parachute decent.

Cable drum braking is controlled by a tension roller, so if there is a break at high speed the drum will automatically stop, leaving less than five turns of loose cable on the drum. Both cables can be easily rejoined in the normal way.

For low simulated cable breaks, the cable is allowed to drop then retrieved as normal, when the airfield is clear. For high simulations, cable can be retrieved as normal in a lower speed setting.

With ICE (internal combustion engine) models this can happen occasionally as so many unskilled drivers operate these winches. 

The end of the cable is attached to the launching cable with a simple knot, acting as a weak link.  Because the cable drum brake is automatically applied, there will be no problem and the cable is simply reconnected, taking only a few minutes.

The Skylaunch electric retrieve winch incorporates a drum counter control system which will slow down and stop the cable tow-back automatically, so it will eliminate this scenario.

Typically, 45 seconds or less from glider release to cable back at the launch point, ready for next launch. Request a copy of our document ‘Analysis of Cable Retrieving Systems’ from our Downloads page.

The launch and retrieve all happens as one rapid cycle, so the cable is quickly returned to the launch point to await the next launch.

Approximately 0.2 litres per retrieve, usually the same amount of fuel used by the launching winch to reel the cable end all the way in (when using a vehicle retrieve system). 

This also eliminates the fuel requirement of any cable retrieve vehicle.

Electric models will further reduce fuel/energy consumption, to help gliding become an even greener activity, as most retrieve cars/vehicles (LEPOS) are old, with poor emissions.

Yes, with ICE (internal combustion engine) models power unit is reliable Volkswagen, final drive utilises popular industrial components. Brake system / guillotine / cable rollers / small fittings etc are standard parts as used on the Skylaunch launching winches.

Wheels / axles / tow hitch etc are universal trailer components.

Basic service is every 6,000 launches or retrieves. Visit our winch servicing page.

The running costs should be less than operating a vehicle retrieve system.

Speak to us about a Skylaunch cable retrieve winch

Contact the team today for pricing, to request a specifications sheet or request a quote.

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