วีดีโอ

Nope, thanks all the same

I did step towing back in the late 80's with an ATOL system. It worked fine. IMO The huge advantage you have today that we never had is the equipment for communications. We used very crappy CB radios or something similar. If you don't understand how important it is to talk to the tow vehicle please stop step tow right now. lol

I've been in the same situation, fortunately I had no problem reaching my downtube-mounted bike-handle-brake release. That said, I do like the type of release you have.

🤯 I can't believe how quickly that happened. I also can't believe how fast your reaction was to release! Amazing.

What harness are you using?

What kind of helmet is that?

I get the principles and motivation... but I think you'd be better off with microlift gliders and perhaps studying thermals in your area. Like, fly a drone around at different times of day to study where the thermals are. (Nice, dry cereals would be the best bet.) You'd need something with altitude hold and a readout on motor output, but. I think that's actually more important than an exceptionally risky towing method. If you can't figure out when and where thermals are happening, then you're still walking back. Or not. Death comes for us all eventually. It just arrives a lot sooner for the complacent.

I started hang gliding in 1978 and did some of the most crazy tows at crazy places by crazy things that towed me but I would NEVER try step towing ever! Who ever thought of this must be nuts.

Hundreds of hours, some in really shitty cndx, looked controlled and fine to me!

Rien de nouveau......on faisait ça il y a 50 ans......

Wow, that happens really fast, I've towed with a cart, that's not your first rodeo, good job!!!

Crazy ❤

This is my weak link reference video. Very helpful. Thanks for posting

why don't you like amsteel blue, I've got a whole bunch of it right now to use. have you seen the ronstan D splicer needle? is there a reason you're doing this stitching method rather than end to end splice?

This is very interesting. Being new to the sport of hang gliding, and having seen the term "step towing" elsewhere many times, I had no idea what this even IS - until I watched this video. Brilliantly simple idea, making tows possible to heights far in excess of what the field length available for laying out the tow line would suggest, prior to commencing the launch. Like everything else, obviously requires knowledge and practice to do it safely and get the best results. I'm used to flying "classical" sailplanes which are much bigger, heavier and generally have much higher glide ratios than hang gliders. To my knowledge, this method has never been attempted with "classical" sailplanes.

I've done this, a long time ago, using a truck winch rather than stationary winch. But honestly, if you've got 1000 meters out, that's likely enough to get up on a decent day. Not at all sure the additional gain is worth the additional risk. Which is why it was a long time ago.

nice, I want one..

and now a remote control.....

Looks awesome. As someone who has been involved in the industry since 1976 this is the way forward for teaching hang gliding.

B******* please nobody tried this b******* I towed for years behind boats trucks toe planes but this is b******* don't try this at all too many people have died doing this b******* do a straight toe and release and lift anything above 500 and you're going to find the thermal and climb away

I always thought Landing the hand glider was easy😟

Looks dangerous AF. What happened near the end there? Where he got yanked back right before he was able to release?

Smoooth

What are the height gains over standard tow same sight

Bravo!!!

Beautiful Video! How did you get that camera angle? Where was the camera attached? Thank you

What type of winch do you use? Is it hydraulic? Self-made or bought?

After flying hang gliders (and sailplanes) for years, must admit that looked a bit sketchy. Then again, I'm pretty sure no wind cliff launches look that way as well - Always hated 'em, but they do get your attention!

I'm surprised that yank at the end didn't pop the weak link ..... or do you even use one lol. 😂

how long is your tow road.

Where are you located? Got your video from our towing group in Spain.

Hello, I love your 360º videos, you can upload some more, they are spectacular with the VR viewers. You can place the camera in a passenger position, for tandem flight. greetings and thanks for sharing.

Are you being pulled by a vehicle or is that a winch?

Inherently a very dangerous method of towing, ripe with generating a lockout. The type of description of pilots that hit sound like- “crushed chest cavity”,…. there are better safer ways to get air.

Vous avez eu un problème pour déconnecter le câble ?

What is the target hight? How much do you feel the cable while flying back?

Is it my imagination or did that tow go to full tension very rapidly?

What's step towing??? What's towing you?

Hang gliding is soooo fun !!! Thanks for sharing this nice video, I have not been flying for a while, that was a good substitute... Question, how high did you get at the end of the 2nd tow? you were climbing for 7 min !!!

sound off

Well yeah, you make it look easy. Lol!

I get drum tangle and the threat but I don't understand towing downwind. What are the circumstances where this would be done?

For what its worth , i too keep on my base bar as long as i can , better set up , more control in ground effect , gives me more confidence . There is absolutely nothing wrong with what you did here , great landing , only an idiot would say otherwise .

Forget the landing. Where on earth is that perfectly groomed grass field??

...seems to be you Mark have a nice HG hub on the East...

That’s crazy ! I thought there would be more time of towing after tow vehicle changed directions?

I love being able to gather the weather at a glance.

Interesting idea. Not sure I care for it though. What if there's a snag while heading out for the next step? I know you have a weak link, but wow.

Staying on the basetube longer does have its advantages of having better control, especially in windier/turbulent conditions.