A starting point would be the Tost weak links for winch. The strongest is
the black 1000 Kg-force link used by gliders like the ASK-21, ASH-25.
Typically, the weak link is about 1.1 - 1.4 times the gross weight of the
glider.

The largest GLIDER was the Messerschmitt 321 gigant but I doubt they winched
it. http://www.waffenhq.de/flugzeuge/me321.html

Bill Daniels

" wrote in message
oups.com...
In our winch clinic last week, the paraglider folks we shared the dry
lake with, seemed surprised we could get something as big as a Blanik
off the ground with a long steel cable.

Their tandem instructor asked our CFIG, "what was the largest gross
weight sailplane ever ground launched". Never really thought about it
before.

Received my winch checkout in PA in a 1,200 lb. Slingsby T-53. Lots of
airfoil, climbed great.

Starting a "can you top this" thread....

Thanks,

Michael