In less than ten years we have seen the advent of modern motorised winches controlled by computerised systems. Such systems may be a good solution - especially if there is a plan to co-ordinate the speed and direction of several motors performimg various functions. This does, of course, come at a price in equipment hire and time spent in installation, programming and rehearsing. For flying people in most situations, we almost always feel that the flexibility and lightness of touch needed in most instances is best provided by a manually operated installation.