A winch system for use in a fixed wing aircraft, comprising: a payload line comprising a sensor, a first end and a second end, wherein: the second end is operable to couple to a payload; and the sensor is operable to detect information about the payload line and transmit the detected information to at least one controller; a main reel about which the payload line is wound; a first motor operable to turn the main reel in a first and a second direction in response to receiving instructions from the at least one controller, wherein turning the main reel in the first direction feeds the payload line out, and turning the wheel in the second direction reels the payload line in; a first pinch roller and a second pinch roller between which the payload line is threaded, wherein the first and the second pinch rollers (230a, 230b) are configured to maintain tension on the payload line; and a second motor operable to turn the first and the second pinch rollers (230a, 230b) in response to receiving instructions from the at least one controller, wherein turning the pinch rollers in the first direction feeds the payload line out, and turning the pinch rollers in the second direction reels the payload line in; wherein: the first and the second motors (220, 240) cooperate to feed out and reel in the payload line; and wherein one or more of the main reel or the first and the second pinch rollers (230a, 230b) is turned based on information detected by the sensor in order to control a position of the second end of the payload line when the aircraft is airborne. a payload line comprising a sensor, a first end and a second end, wherein: the second end is operable to couple to a payload; and the sensor is operable to detect information about the payload line and transmit the detected information to at least one controller; the second end is operable to couple to a payload; and the sensor is operable to detect information about the payload line and transmit the detected information to at least one controller; a main reel about which the payload line is wound; a first motor operable to turn the main reel in a first and a second direction in response to receiving instructions from the at least one controller, wherein turning the main reel in the first direction feeds the payload line out, and turning the wheel in the second direction reels the payload line in; a first pinch roller and a second pinch roller between which the payload line is threaded, wherein the first and the second pinch rollers (230a, 230b) are configured to maintain tension on the payload line; and a second motor operable to turn the first and the second pinch rollers (230a, 230b) in response to receiving instructions from the at least one controller, wherein turning the pinch rollers in the first direction feeds the payload line out, and turning the pinch rollers in the second direction reels the payload line in; wherein: the first and the second motors (220, 240) cooperate to feed out and reel in the payload line; and wherein one or more of the main reel or the first and the second pinch rollers (230a, 230b) is turned based on information detected by the sensor in order to control a position of the second end of the payload line when the aircraft is airborne. the first and the second motors (220, 240) cooperate to feed out and reel in the payload line; and wherein one or more of the main reel or the first and the second pinch rollers (230a, 230b) is turned based on information detected by the sensor in order to control a position of the second end of the payload line when the aircraft is airborne.