stephanevdv wrote:
Our Husky is our second towplane with a reel system, and we wouldn't
consider reverting to the old system. We have a Tost reel that is very
reliable, but there are two caveats with all systems we used:

Snip
- The cable can start to weaken inside the system, so you have to
check that regularly (dayly), because it can't be seen by checking the
cable from the outside, even by unrolling it completely (should also
be done regularly).

I can add an ancient historical 'second' to this. The only
non-self-induced rope break I've experienced happened on a
tow-rope-reel-equipped tug (1975, Heber City, UT).

There I wuz, in perfect position, benign conditions, enjoying the
scenery...which came to include a diminishing-size towplane, climbing
away from me as the *front* of the towrope sagged away out of sight.
Being directly overhead the runway, I pulled my release, rather than
depend solely on the back release, flew a normal pattern and landed -
somewhat puzzled.

Turned out the rope had broken at the exit from the tug's bellmouth
leading in to the winch reel. Or, right where it would be expected to
experience repeated load/strain/bending/etc.

Regards,
Bob - so much for the 'if it withstands the initial acceleration, it's
an OK rope' theory - W.