Thank's Gordy,
that's very interesting reading. Your techniques sound sensible alright. Would be fun to try and practice with some weights. Not the same obviously but I've known a couple of guys who had engine failures with loads on long lines. After releasing the load 'late' in the auto they were always amazed at the lack of damage to the load.
Looks like nice flying.
SASless I can understand why the feeling of having someone hanging outside your single engine machine would be a fairly intence one. Not sure I'd like that at all. I've become too used to two engines and plenty of wind. And everyone in seats.