Has anyone had experience with a reverse pulley system on asphalt runways and using a rope, rather than piano wire or cable? I am considering the feasibility of 1/4" Dacron rope on an 8,000' runway in Hobbs, NM. My concern is that the rope will wear out too fast, being drug at launch speeds (45-55 mph) down the runway. We do straight auto tow now with steel wire, but there are power lines in the area, and we couldn't risk 4,000+ feet of conductive cable being in the air in case of a break, or even a decent crosswind.

Spectra rope makes more sense, but I would like to use Dacron to prove the concept without as much investment. If it works, Spectra would likely make more sense for performance and longevity.

Stephen Layton
Hobbs, NM