I also have to mention that getting any auto-release device approved by the FAA is the "elephant in the room" that nobody so far on this thread has considered. When Walt Connelly proposed banning Schweizer releases, I mentioned that there are some tow planes that are ONLY allowed to use Schweizer releases, and converting to a Tost system could (and would) require a lot of agonizing bureaucratic adventures with the FAA to get an STC or field approval to change the "approved" release to another "untested" installation.

I can only imagine the testing and documentation required to get an automatic release certified and approved. At best, the FAA is like a supertanker on course, and you are the guy in font of them in the rowboat furiously waving your handkerchief to make them turn. The Captain may see you and order an avoidance maneuver, but it's going to take a LOOOOONG time for the course to deviate one tiny little bit. Sort of like booting the rudder in a Grob 103.

Go ahead. Flame suit on.