HELIKITE WINCHES

1)HAND REELS

The Skyshot Helikite and similar small Skyhook Helikites can be conveniently flown on a fishing reel attached to the lower half of a sea-fishing rod. We have tested various types and makes of reel and most do not have strong enough brakes or the winding capability. However, one or two are suitable. The best value seems to be the Okuma Titus TG 50 W2.

Features:

Two gears to ease winding

Freewheeling Drum

Strong brake

Level-wind excluded for simplicity

Big, comfortable winder handle

Good bracket and safety harness attachments

Large Drum Capacity (Takes about 300ft of 200Kg Dyneema)

Excellent construction

Allsopp Helikites Ltd can supply these reels upon request.

2) HAND WINCHES

Helikites, especially the smaller ones can work with many types of reels and winches, but ones off-the-shelf tend to have limitations regarding drum size, braking capability, drum speed, handle size and robustness. Despite many years of intensive looking Allsopp Helikites Ltd have never been able to find a ready-made hand winch that satisfied us in all these areas - so responding to demand we made our own Helikite hand winch suitable for all Helikites up to 16 cu metres in size.

Hand winches may seem low-tech but they are advantageous wherever cost, set-up time, and ease of transport are paramount. If there is space, Helikites can be simply run down using a rolling-block or pulled down with a vehicle but when flying from a constricted area then a good winch is essential.

FEATURES:

Very strong construction of the best materials.
Weight, excluding support post, is 8Kg.
Large, strong, easily accessible, aluminium freewheeling drum.
Powerful cam brake of proprietary design that can be remotely operated.
Double stainless-steel handles, variable-length for speed winding or power retrieve.
Strong and simple clutch.
Stainless-steel or nickel-plated steel corrosion-resistant frame.
Simple, reliable, un-geared action.
Versatile support bracket for use with our optional steel stake, or wooden posts or vehicle mounts.
Designed for use with the immensly strong but soft Dyneema line - so no sharp edges on the winch.
Silent operation
No requirement for engines
Comes with optional robust, foam-padded, carry-case.
Easily back-packable

3) HYDRAULIC WINCHES

These are specially modified to our own specifications for use with Helikites and Dyneema flying line. The power pack can be a gasoline or diesel motor and the drum size and hydraulic system can be optimised for power or compactness depending upon circumstances. The smallest systems are little bigger than electric winches and are far more reliable and versatile.

4) HIGH POWER WINCHES

These are extremely powerful winches, optimised for Dyneema flying line and capable of operating any size of Helikite. Making good and safe winches is not easy and these are highly recommended for professional use with large Helikites lifting expensive equipment to considerable altitudes.

FEATURES:

Powerful VW gasoline motor + diesel option.
Operator safety guards in case of line breakage and safety guards on hot or moving parts.
Torque converter for smooth drum operation.
Narrow, large diameter drum for excellent line laying.
No complicated, unreliable level-wind mechanism required.
Free-wheeling braked drum for controlled fast or slow Helikite launch.
Powerful disc-brake.
Gearing and clutch optimised for required Helikite retrieve speeds.
Hardened steel rollers in fairlead suitable for Dyneema flying line.
Low-level line exit for safety
Easy access to motor and mechanicals.
Ergonomic, colour-coded controls
Guillotine to cut flying line in emergency
Optional running-line tensionometer to monitor flying line strain.
Full instructions and operator training available.