Bob Johnson wrote in message ...
Hello Dave --

Regarding the moving line, can you think of a situation where the winch
driver, upon becoming aware of an emergency situation, would want or
need to keep the line coming in?

Can't really think of one. But we are talking about an emergency
situation here so anything can be possible.


You can see where this is leading: If the line can be stopped,...

Can it? Before you were talking about 'want to' and 'need to'. That's
not the same. I can imagine situations where the cable cannot be
stopped or starts moving again.

... why
couldn't the operator jump out of his cab and cut the synthetic line
with a sharp knife?

Again: Cutting the winch cable is an emergency. Why on earth would you
want to lose time jumping from the winch and looking for your cutting
tool?


Or do you think this action would somehow place him in danger?

Yes it could. See above.

BTW: In my 18 seasons of gliding I am not aware of the winch cable
ever been cut in an emergency. And that's in about 70'000 launches.

Regards
Marcel