Most sane pilots, myself included, would rather foot launch off a hill than be towed around at the end of a rope by a powerful vehicle. The main reasons that towing sucks are that 1) Towing requires more gear and crew than foot launched hill flying. 2) All mechanical systems will fail, often at the exact worst moment. 3) The winch operator can kill or maim you at any time. 4) At least one person is always left on the ground. 5) And lastly, and perhaps worst; when it’s your turn, it won’t be soarable.
On the positive side, towing is a great way (maybe the only way besides d-bagging) to fly the flats. Here in the U.S., the flatlands of Florida, Texas, and the whole Midwest are a huge untapped resource for paraglider cross country flying. In these areas the air can be strong and smooth, with cloud streets stretching to the horizon. If you want to fly the flats, you’ve got to tow. There are many different types of towing and tow rigs, but the most reliable way to get 1500+ feet is to pay-out tow on a long road. 1500 feet is about the minimum altitude that you can reliably expect to “get away” from on a soarable day. Of course, one of the nice things about towing is that you can land back at the launch point and try again if you get shot down.
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