High start question

[thor4944]

Anyone ever try to high start with fishing line instead of nylon? Lighter than nylon ...what do ya think?

[Ron Cichowski]

Brings a couple of interesting thoughts to mind.

I'm launching Open Glass ships with a "lot of stretch" on the high start and I get it all pretty much straight up before I drop the chute.

I also winch with 120# monofilament (fishing line) and that stuff has an awesome amount of stretch. I can preload the winch before release and get an absolutely vicious departure. Goes like a rocket, no problems with stalling on release due to too little airspeed. Everything has to be correct because this will magnify any mistrim.

I can imagine that monoflament on a high start would allow more stretch for more power at launch and a longer power curve before all energy was released.

Now on the other hand I fish with braided Spider Wire (spectra) which is very thin, light and flexible for it's strengh. It is also very close to ZERO stretch. If your aircraft is having problems lifting the launch device to it's apogee then this material would offer minimum weight and minimum air resistance in the launch. It would not add any additional energy from retraction of length.

Both alternatives would be more difficult to find in the grass than my ORANGE nylon.

Ron