Vortex Electric Smart Winch Hang Gliding StepTow

We are getting SOOOO close to the final version of the Vortex! Here is a video showing off it's capabilities. Winds were 15kmh on the ground and more like 30kmh at the top of the tow. Flying a Falcon4-170 and a WoodyValley Cabrio trainer harness (so as low tech as you can get!). The airstrip is about 2100' and I towed to just shy of 3600' after the two step tows.
I am reluctant to promote step-towing as it has more inherent risks than other forms of towing butI thought this video would show how smooth it can go. The Vortex winch does an amazing job at maintaining line pressures and it's fast at reeling in the excess rope until the tension comes on.
You can see more videos of the winch during this tow on our FB page at / vortexsmartwinch
And more FAQs and prices on the winch at instinct.pro/c...

[@robertchisholm5133]

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.

[@u171098atgmail]

nice, I want one..

[@instinctwindsports]

A tow like that or a winch?! :)

[@u171098atgmail]

@@instinctwindsports problem is we're in socal (san diego) and the concept of a gi-normous field is very foreign to us. no plans to buy a farm in Iowa either, it's just the wx has gotten sideways here.. :(

[@emoe_atlas]

and now a remote control.....