Shock Cord Launch

Shock cord launching was developed in Germany in 1920 and was used in the US for the first time in 1928.  A shock cord is simply a 200 foot length of bungee cord attached to a simple hook on the nose of the glider, forming a V with 100 feet on each side of the glider.  Gripping the ends of this cord were up to 12 men.  Once given the signal from the pilot, they started running in the direction of flight as fast as they could go.  Two additional men were holding onto a rope attached to the tail of the glider to keep it from moving.  When they were signaled by the pilot, they let go.  The result was the glider literally being slingshot into the air.  As the glider passed over the running launch crew, the cord slipped off the hook.  This was a common method of launching in the early days of the sport and it was very exciting!