DLG or HLG?

[Whizwaz]

I've been reading how flying a hand- or discus- launch glider will improve your overall thermal hunting skills. Because of this, I would like to give it a try.

My question is regarding which launching method is less stressful on your lower back. Basically, I’m looking for advice as I have a real mess of a lower back. A great combination of compressed and herniated disks. I want to avoid aggravating them trying to fly a small glider.

If anyone can help me out, and point me in the right direction, it would be appreciated.

P.S. Thought I would post in the sailplane section. It was looking lonely. :)

[Quacker]

Hi. I have some back issues too. I found that hand launch causes the throwing arm and upper body to decelerate quickly at the end of throw. This force is absorbed by torque and extension of the lower back. A DLG is free of sudden acceleration/deceleration and offers potential for less injury except where specific pre-existing problems exist that might be aggravated. I suggest that you take a Frisbee to the park and emulate a DLG. This way, you will know what you can handle. You don't have to hurl a DLG hard to get good results. There is a third possibility--high start a HLG. Why screw up your back any more? Let rubber do the work. Check out the Micro-High Start.

http://www.dchobby.com/histart/MSL/index.html

Regards,
Q

[keven64]

Hello !

My lower back is the same - and degenerating. :(

I also use a 'hi-start' :)

I made it from two 12' lengths of 1/2" x 1/16" flat rubber and 50' of strong kite string ! :D

Now the strain on my back is from walking backwards with my little gliders on the line . . . :rolleyes:
Hehehehee.

[leverick]

Go with a DLG but also think about a hi start.

Same problem I love to hand launch but my shoulder gets tired, I added a hook to my art hobby falco and use a hi start now almost exclusively. 150 ft of line and 30 foot of 3/16 tubing. It zooms it to from 80 to 150 feet depending on conditions. I've had several 1/2 hour thermal flights to 1500 AGL which I attribute to being able to hunt thermals from 150 feet agl versus 50 ft agl using a javelin launch. I tried a discus launch with the falco and augered in at mach 2 breaking the fuselage so I'll try that more later with a more appropriate glider. GET A HI START!!! You won't regret it.

[GeorgeE]

I've done both, Javelin throw and Discuss throw. Eventhough I do not have a bad back, Javelin throwing was very strenous, specially for my arm. After I got my Xterminator Pro DLG, and began throwing it Discuss style, there is no pain at all, Discuss throwing is almost effortless, unless you want to get into competition.

Give it a try.