I agree with Bill that a winch launch shouldn't hold up other aircraft
departures for more than a couple of minutes, and that aircraft can still
land as long as they can land well short of where the cable is; they
won't be able to safely do 'go-arounds' though.

Our experience with synthetic cable was that it dropped more slowly, even
with a tiny parachute, and drifted further sideways in a crosswind. We
would wind in at about the same speed whether using steel or synthetic
cable. Flying into a winch cable of either type would tend to spoil your
day somewhat!

Derek Copeland

At 01:47 17 July 2009, bildan wrote:

My experience talking to local airport managers in the US is they are
desperate for more 'action' at their airports. At current fuel
prices, general aviation traffic is way down. They don't really care
what it is as long as they can log some takeoff and landings - to keep
their jobs. Most would welcome a glider operation although there are
some don't.

There are many GA airports that could support a winch operation. Many
have all the taxiways on one side of the runway which leaves a 10'
strip of grass between the far edge of the runway and the row of edge
lights - the rope can be pulled out there and be totally out of
everyone's way. Gliders can be kept out of the way on a taxiway stub
or on the grass until it's time to launch.

The launch itself takes only about 35 - 45 seconds and the rope (not
wire) doesn't "fall", it gets pulled onto the winch drum with the
glider end with it's parachute falling right in front of the winch.
Synthetic Spectra/Dyneema, unlike steel cable, wouldn't hurt anything
if it were to fall on it anyway.

There's usually room to park the winch well beyond the runway
departure end in the over run area so the rope never lands on the
"operations area". Airport managers have been known to temporarily
remove runway end lights for a day's winch operation.

Over all, a quick winch operation wouldn't need the runway and the
airspace over it for more than 2 or 3 minutes. (I've seen heavy iron
guys set on the runway waiting for departure clearance or maybe doing
a checklist for much longer than that.)

At the Fariboult, MN Municipal Airport, there was an enthusiastic
crowd of airplane owners watching us.