RE: Flying wing gliding in high winds
Assuming you are talking of a flying wing like a Zagi. I have flown the snot out of these for years in full contact combat and dynamic soaring as well as everyday soaring. It will not matter HOW you drop it, just start with the controls at neutral eg normal flight and it will sort itself out in less than a 100 feet.
Speed? a lightweight Zagi can manage 50mph in a shallow dive. See [link=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCYBU7-Bszw]CLICKY[/link]
A ballasted Zagi can exceed a 100mph although if DSing one they come apart at around that speed. Ask me how I know this. This is not mine but a similar sort of thing See [link=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7-iZf44pC0]CLICKY[/link]
I am assuming you intend to drop it and then fly it back to the launch point. If the balloon climbs faster than the L/D of the glider then that should not be a problem. Program the AP to fly directly towards the launch point then circle around the launch when it gets there. Assuming your AP has a 3D GPS input then programming it to attain the best flying speed to make best use of the height avaialble is a trivial ex. Allowing for a descent into lower wind speeds not quite so trivial but if you start with a relatively fast flying wing it will not be an issue. It will get back to you.