Originally Posted by
Jazzer83
From what I've read gliders are somewhat safer than single engine piston types.
Part of that statistic must be that gliding is of necessity a fair weather activity. Personally I feel very safe using a winch launch but less so with an Aerotow where you are dependant on the single engine piston type in front and a bit of string connecting the two, leaving the end of the runway at 100 ft leaves only one option in the event of a failure. That is to land ahead whilst trying to avoid the most haxardous looking objects, not an enticing thought. By contrast with a winch launch you gain 1000 ft in half the length of the runway and practice winch failure at all heights.