In article , Bob Salvo
writes
Why not two winches; one to launch with and the other to retrieve the cable?
I think I remember this being done years ago. If the drag chute is big
enough, the retrieve winch should be able to return the entire cable. I
wonder how fast two setups (4 winches) could launch a fleet?

This is the set up the Midland Gliding Club has used for at least 30
years, the two cables join in a device that used to be an iron triangle,
but the present gizmo is a lot lighter.

It gives a very good launch rate with an experienced driver on each
winch.

But its not universally suitable...
--
Mike Lindsay.