Blog: Build your own Hangglider and Paraglider Winch
New Electric Tow Winch for XC-Sjælland
With support from DHPU, Holbæk Kommune, Ellehammerfonden, Nordea-fonden and Friluftsrådet, XC-Sjælland has begun developing and building a new electric tow winch for hang gliding and paragliding.
The new electric winch will replace or supplement our existing equipment. It will provide greater flexibility and efficiency while improving our ability to conduct safe and effective launches.
The winch will be equipped with two drums and a modern electronic control system, allowing the towing force and speed to be adapted to each individual launch. It will support both solo and tandem flights.
The project will contribute to:
quieter activities in natural surroundings
a significant reduction in the club’s fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions
more opportunities for flying and towing activities
improved opportunities for training, tandem flights and introducing new pilots to the sport
the continued development of hang gliding and paragliding as outdoor activities
The electric winch is expected to be completed and ready for its first flying days in spring 2027. All development and construction work is being carried out voluntarily by the club’s members.
We are very grateful for the support we have received. These contributions are essential to making the project possible and creating better and more sustainable conditions for the club’s flying activities.
The project is supported by DHPU, Holbæk Kommune, Ellehammerfonden, Nordea-fonden and Friluftsrådet.
Pictures from MHPK in Fasterholt Denmark
How it looks when pulling slightly with paraglider students. Note, how steady the Ø2.05 dyneema wire is.
How it looks when retrieving the wire with 60km/h, which is the normal retrieving speed.
System description
The thoughts behind the design, was to make a winch with optimal performance, flexible design, with minimum mechanical complexity and build by simple and cheap techniqes that everyone can do with basic tools, and by easy accessible components.
The speed of the drum is up to 3000 rpm, which is an optimal speed of a wide majority of motors.
A servomotor is used to wind up the wire in equal layers on the drum. The synchronization between sled and drum and the overall control of the winch is done by a industrial PLC, this could also be done by any other kind of controller.
The wire cutter is based on a 25mm width hobby knife blade, which is placed in an angle 2 x 45° to the wire.
The main dimensions are based on the drum which is Ø120x1000mm.
Main specifications and calculations
The most important questions are:
– How much force do you want?
– How much speed do you requirer?
Our expirences is 120kg for a tandem flight and 65km/h as max speed for both hanggliders and paragliders.
On the left side you can see the main specifications of the winch. If you change the numbers, you will see how they affects each other.
Calculations on “Next” page is related to the PLC-program and the programming of the zig-zag pattern.