Skylaunch

Skylaunch UK manufactures winches for military and civilian purposes. It is especially known for its production of winches used in the gliding industry, which are used for winch launching.

History

Skylaunch first produced a winch in 1989, which was delivered to the Long Mynd Gliding club in 1989. The winch is still in use today. The company has since produced winches used by the RAF (GSA and Air Cadets), Royal Navy and British Army and other overseas civilian and military organisations. To date, Skylaunch have manufactured and delivered over 100 winches to various customers Worldwide.

Military uses

Skylaunch provides winch types specifically designed for military applications on a regular basis. They are used mainly by British Armed Forces. Skylaunch winches have been used for military applications, including, but not limited to;

  • UAV launching
  • Tethered balloon launching
  • Aerial photography
  • Testing equipment
  • Tethered balloons for parachute training

Gliding

Skylaunch primairily provides winches for the use of Winch Launches in Gliding. Their most successful design is the Skylaunch 2, which has now evolved into the Skylaunch 2 Evolution, or Skylaunch 2 EVO. They also design and build custom winches, and also have been known to provide parts for non-skylaunch winches. Oxford Gliding Club utilises a winch which has parts built and distributed by Skylaunch, the most notable part being the 7 strand steel cables, each in excess of 1700 metres.

Skylaunch 1 (Prototype)

Only one of these winches was built, and is still used by the Midland Gliding Club. It was produced in 1991 with a 7.4 litre GM V8, capable of outputting 280 horsepower. It is powered by LPG and has one cable drum.

It weighs 2.6 tonnes and is roadworthy. It can be towed by a suitable 4x4 vehicle, and has 4 x 205 R16 wheels mounted at the centre of gravity of the winch.

Skylaunch Glider Launching Winch (1)

Produced from 1994 to 2010 (Renamed and updated in 2001 to Skylaunch 2 (See below)) This was a customisable winch that was either powered by a 7.4 litre GMv8, a 8.2 litre GMV8 or a 6.6 litre GMV8 (Duramax Turbo Diesel). The output of these engines ranged from 280-400 horse power. It had 2 cable drums and could carry up to 3 kilometres of 5mm steel cable. It had the ability to carry steel or synthetic cable (See Dynema) up to a maximum of 10mm, which significantly reduced the length carried, and as such was not a popular customisation option, with more customers choosing length of cable over diameter of cable, as both the shortened length and weight of the cable significantly reduced the average launch height.

Skylaunch 2

The original Skylaunch 2 was an updated version of the Skylaunch 1 with the option of future proofing, with the options of better suited for synthetic cable systems, and an upgrade of cable guillotine from Spring powered scissor type, which are limited By design to certain operational angles, to a chisel type guillotine which is reported to be able to safely guillotine the cable at a wider range of angles.

Skylaunch 3

The skylaunch 3 was produced from 2004 to 2011, but was replaced by the Skylaunch 2 EVO. Produced for the market with a 7.4 litre GMV8, an 8.2 litre GMV8 or a 280KW motor,.

Powered buy a 7.4 litre GMV8, an 8.2 litre GMV8 or a 280KW motor, the engines outputted between 280 hp and 400 hp. The winch was customisable with either 1 or 2 cable drums, carrying up to 3 km of cable at 5mm or up to 10mm at a reduced length. It was also capable of either steel or synthetic cable. There was an option to have an enclosed or open cabin and also to have the winch mounted on another vehicle, usually a repurposed flatbed truck.

Skylaunch 2 "EVO" (EVOlution)

In 2011 Skylaunch started producing the Skylaunch 2 EVO, and replaced orders of the Skylaunch 3 with this option. It is powered by a 7.4 litre GMV8, 8.2 litre GMV8, 6.6 litre GMV8 (Duramax- turbo diesel) or a 280 kw electric motor, which outputs between 280 to 400 hp, depending on the engine. It too could support one or two drums, and could carry 3 km of cable at 5mm, or up to 10mm at a significantly reduced length.

It is only produced with spring powered chisel type guillotines, and can be mounted on 4 or 6 wheels for towing. Windrushers Gliding Club recently bought a diesel version, with help from Sport England.

It weighs between 2.6 tonnes and 4.2 tonnes depending on the options/customisation of the customer.

Skylaunch Cable Retrieve Winch

Produced from 1994 onwards, the retrieve winch is fitted with a single drum, which is attached in a triangle formation to the main winch cable, at corners, and then a single ring attached to the glider. The winch cable in a retrieve winch needn't be as strong and as such, it is a steel or synthetic 4mm cable. The retrieve winch is designed to reduce the time it takes for an entrie launch from hooking a glider on to the cable, to receiving the cable again. As such, a singular retrieve winch is generally not used with two drums, often they are only fitted with one, as the lack of the other cable is neglable. Some clubs use two cables, but two retrieve winches and one main winch, working in parallel.

The Skylaunch retrieve winch is fitted with spring scissor or chisel type guillotines, weighs 1.2 tonnes can take 3 km worth of 2.5mm steel cable, or up to 4mm cable at a significantly reduced length. It is powered by a 1.8litre VW 4 in-line engine, which can produce 88HP. The winch has an open platform, but is fitted with a screen and a roof panel.

Skylaunch 4D (or) 6D

Manufactured for larger clubs, Skylaunch also offer a 4 or 6 drum winch, which is powered by either a 8.2 litre GMV8 or a 6.6 litre GMV8 (Duramex turbo diesel), outputting between 340 and 400 hp. It is essentially a Skylaunch 2 EVO with a larger transmission system, and more drums. It is also referred to as the Skydrive.

Skylaunch also refurbish old or mechanically unsafe winches for clubs, often using skylaunch parts.

Operators

  • Royal Air Force
  • Royal Navy
  • British Army

Skylaunch is known in the gliding/aviation world as a large contibutor to economical launches within gliding.