Successful Winch Launch Operations from Public Use Municipal/County Airports

Regarding winch lines on the runway, we also tend to winch from a dirt/grass area next to the runway, so we don't have to worry about they line on the runway. We have done both, and have tried things like keeping the line in the gravel next to the runway, but it is not ideal to have active operations on the runway while you have a line out. So we found an approach to not do that.

And as mentioned, our radio calls also advise traffic to avoid area of launch to keep traffic clear of the line. But we are particularly vigilant in watching for other traffic in or near the pattern or transitioning, and we just don't launch until we are confident the space is clear.

Mike Hendron