At Enstone using parafil, we dispensed with a drogue chute for straight
autotow, to eliminate crosswind drift. XJ6 Jag with Tost release. We
swapped ends each launch to speed up launch rate. 60mph each way,
1500agl from 500m length. L-13 lifted the back of the Jag a couple of
times, so nice to have ballast in the back seat. Four-wheel disk
brakes also helpful at end of tarmac.

Personally feel the Cots reverse pulley system was most elegant and
effective of auto launch systems I've seen in 30 years, including the
Essex GC system.

A lot is made of the room required for ground launching. However, I
know it is quite feasible to establish a ground launch soaring
operation in many areas of the US by leasing, rather than purchasing,
space. Dry pasture and dry agricultural land can be leased cheaper per
acre than my club pays in property taxes, considering our improvements
and the tax basis. In many states, the federal set aside allowance is
greater than beef farmers can pay for grazing (leading to an
interesting observation by ranchers that they are competing against
their own tax dollars for the price of pasture land). Furthermore, a
startup ground launch operation is going to encounter far fewer NIMBY
objections than aero-towing over the local area.

You may find it's possible to winch cheaper than burning up someone's
$40,000+ F250 though, and winching doesn't require as much improved
land.

Frank Whiteley