In article ,
Martin Gregorie wrote:



I wouldn't accept a winch or auto-tow launch if there wasn't a functional
guillotine installed so that its release was instantly accessible to the
driver and/or the person monitoring the launch.



We used to do a lot of ground launching via the "pulley method". We
always had an observer in the tow car watching the launch. Our
"guillotine" was a sharp machete in the hands of the observer. Of course
we were also taught to immediately bank into a tight turn and circle the
tow vehicle if we could not release. I always had my doubts about
recognizing the release failure in time to cut the line or to turn and
get tension off the line before things got out of hand.

All the pulley launch rigs I have seen are just a bare pulley, usually a
truck rim mounted an a trailer hitch. No fairleads or other structure. I
guess a guillotine could be mounted to such a rig. Would be a good Idea,
I think.