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 are configured to maintain tension on the payload line ; and a second motor operable to turn the first and the second pinch rollers 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 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 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 are configured to maintain tension on the payload line ; and a second motor operable to turn the first and the second pinch rollers 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 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 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 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 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. <EOS>