On Mar 6, 10:01*pm, T wrote:

Remember the "spectator" injury during a launch at the national
contest in Tonopah years ago.

T

I do remember. That operation would have violated a major rule of
winch launch. That rule is no one or thing can occupy an exclusion
area between the glider and winch. If someone enters the exclusion
area, the launch is held until the "deck" is clear. The exclusion
area will have slightly different definitions depending on airfield
layout but it is designed to prevent Tonopah-like accidents even in
extreme loss of control situations.

Aero tow operations would be well advised to copy this rule.

This concept has been extended to the hook-up operation by using Tost
quick-links. The strop/safety rope is attached to the glider without
being attached to the winch rope. The final safety rope-winch rope
connection is made by someone standing out of harm's way and then only
when the pilot signals readiness. This way inadvertent rope motion
can't put the hook-up/wing runner at risk.

Winch operations have very carefully thought out safety procedures
which must be scrupulously observed. It's easier to get people to
obey safety rules with winch launch since it LOOKS dangerous even
though it isn't.