T8 wrote:

Apart from anything else, your hand should be on the release knob during
the launch,

That's surprising to me... a non-winch qualified guy. On an aero tow,
I would call that very risky business indeed.

Some do, some don't, but event those who don't do have their left hand
very near the knob and grab it several times during the pre-flight
routine. Because if you should happen to drop a wing and start a ground
loop, then things develop *extremely* quick on the winch.