Vacancy for tug pilot - unpaid.
Most of my towing has been done in a Scout (or earlier variants - Citabrias and Challengers) in Alberta. The Scout is very rugged, and relatively easy to fly, but you still need to pay attention, like all taildraggers, or it will bite you. With a seaplane prop, it performs very well at density altitudes above 4000'. The taller gear means the view over the nose is not as good as a Citabria, but still no need to weave while taxying. There are also a few L19s in gliding clubs across Canada and the Air Cadets use them as well. My club had one for a couple of years, but by the time I had enough experience to fly it, it had been sold and another Scout replaced it. The general opinion was that it was a bit of a handful and was considered too risky.
I also towed for a couple of years in a 182, with a Schweizer towhook bolted in place of the tail tiedown and a rope release coming in through the left window.
Very short tow times as would be expected and with appropriate manipulation of the cowl flaps, the CHTs remained high. I do remember that flaring from a power-off approach required a very positive and heavy pull on the yoke.
With the exception of the 182 and one Scout, all the tow planes I've seen have had fixed pitch props. Constant speed props are generally considered unnecessary and a maintenance liability. However, cross-country ferry flights with a fine-pitch fixed prop can be tediously slow as you have to throttle back to remain below redline.
I also towed for a couple of years in a 182, with a Schweizer towhook bolted in place of the tail tiedown and a rope release coming in through the left window.
Very short tow times as would be expected and with appropriate manipulation of the cowl flaps, the CHTs remained high. I do remember that flaring from a power-off approach required a very positive and heavy pull on the yoke.
With the exception of the 182 and one Scout, all the tow planes I've seen have had fixed pitch props. Constant speed props are generally considered unnecessary and a maintenance liability. However, cross-country ferry flights with a fine-pitch fixed prop can be tediously slow as you have to throttle back to remain below redline.
Join Date: Mar 2008
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I'd be interested to know what the market was like for volunteer tuggies in the UK at the minute. Conversations with a friend at Lasham recently suggested a two year waiting list to fly the tugs...
Join Date: Feb 2001
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did some towing with a rallye 180GT with constant speed prop, you ended up pulling the prop back asap after takeoff to save noise The minervia was the same and gave a loud rasp with the prop fine. great for towing glass but you ended up flying faster speeds. Not great for an early solo in a K8. Cross country retrieve were good but not good for field retrieves. It made engine cool down easy. A brief constant speed to slowly bring down CHT then slowly speed up leaving to power and letting the prop do its thing. worked great and then a high speed decent to join downwind.
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Indonesia (originaly Slovakia)
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Hi, yes, it seems I will fly there from October to March.
The flight time for all period is approximately 100hrs, tow plane is Callair 9A, they provide accomodation and cover some living expenses.
Flight time is not so high, but its better than nothing and the place looks pretty good
The flight time for all period is approximately 100hrs, tow plane is Callair 9A, they provide accomodation and cover some living expenses.
Flight time is not so high, but its better than nothing and the place looks pretty good
Join Date: Jan 2009
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Ah yes, the Condor.
I am told they used them at the Long Mynd. Trundled the glider along the lawn, toward the ridge, fortunately no trees in the way. Performance very much like the bungee launch, sounds great, but not a lot actually happens, you fall off the hill and then both of you ascend in the ridge lift.
Got towed by a Condor at Tibenham, great long WWII runway, eventually lifted off the ground (in a Pegasus with no water!) and sampled every thermal on the extended climb to 2,000'. So knew more about local conditions than following the Pawnee.
I am told they used them at the Long Mynd. Trundled the glider along the lawn, toward the ridge, fortunately no trees in the way. Performance very much like the bungee launch, sounds great, but not a lot actually happens, you fall off the hill and then both of you ascend in the ridge lift.
Got towed by a Condor at Tibenham, great long WWII runway, eventually lifted off the ground (in a Pegasus with no water!) and sampled every thermal on the extended climb to 2,000'. So knew more about local conditions than following the Pawnee.
Join Date: Feb 2009
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interesting tow planes
How about an Extra 300! A couple of years ago they tried one at Lasham. With a duo discus it looked more like a double winch launch.
I eastern europe they also use a large crop sprayer with a Turboprop of about 600hp
I eastern europe they also use a large crop sprayer with a Turboprop of about 600hp
Join Date: Feb 2009
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We have a Rotax Faulke mototglider with a 912 (non-turbo) engine that tows small gliders fine. Struggles a bit with the larger 2 seaters and gets a bit warm.
Water cooled engines and airbrakes alleviate some of the problems with shock cooling after releasing the glider and decending for the next one.
Water cooled engines and airbrakes alleviate some of the problems with shock cooling after releasing the glider and decending for the next one.
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: UK, US, now more ɐıןɐɹʇsn∀
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I could only find 690 and 740 HP mentions online for Walter M601 engine used in Let 410 and turbine conversion of Zlin 37 'Bumblebee'.
Wasn't able to track down the 7-tow picture I once saw/had somewhere, but I was told by some guys in Czech Rep, that the record was 12 tow behind Z37T.
I've seen standard radial Z37 tow and yeah, looks good. Using Extra 300 for towing is like using Jaguar or some Lamborghini to pull trailer loaded with scrap metal..
BTW, that OM registration is Slovak. There's one 'company' I remember from looking up stuff online that is freelance towing monster machine for competitions, probably the one in picture. Not that many Z37T around and more in Czech Rep on (everything's) OK reg.
Wasn't able to track down the 7-tow picture I once saw/had somewhere, but I was told by some guys in Czech Rep, that the record was 12 tow behind Z37T.
I've seen standard radial Z37 tow and yeah, looks good. Using Extra 300 for towing is like using Jaguar or some Lamborghini to pull trailer loaded with scrap metal..
BTW, that OM registration is Slovak. There's one 'company' I remember from looking up stuff online that is freelance towing monster machine for competitions, probably the one in picture. Not that many Z37T around and more in Czech Rep on (everything's) OK reg.
The best tow I've ever had was behind the Turbo Bravo at the Schänis gliding club in Switzerland. It settled down to about 1600/1700fpm!
It's a one-off conversion of a small 2-seater with a 360hp turbine - it actually makes sense when doing repeated high launches, like at the start of an alpine day. Expensive per minute but not many minutes needed! Also runs on cheaper Jet-A1 rather than Avgas. No cooling problems so back on the ground from 7,000' in under a minute: fully fine prop and airbrakes help...
It's a one-off conversion of a small 2-seater with a 360hp turbine - it actually makes sense when doing repeated high launches, like at the start of an alpine day. Expensive per minute but not many minutes needed! Also runs on cheaper Jet-A1 rather than Avgas. No cooling problems so back on the ground from 7,000' in under a minute: fully fine prop and airbrakes help...
Join Date: Feb 2007
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How would a Rotax 914 pull?
The 914-powered Dimona did not quite impress me. When towing an ASK-21 with two POB we were at maybe 150 feet by the end of the 1 km runway, and a tow to 2000' took close to 10 minutes I'd say.
Although you need to take those numbers with some grains of salt. I was too busy trying to follow the Dimona to pay attention to the exact altitude and timings. We did get a good look at Hoogeveens main street though - we were low enough to read the advertisement signs outside the shops.
Join Date: Jul 2007
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FYI, Booker Gliding (Wycombe) seem to have need to fill in this year's spot for seasonal tuggie, pretty much starting now I believe.
I presume gliding experience also required, though not sure if full Silver C, like Lasham. At least I cannot remember. Worth firing off a CV to their email.
I presume gliding experience also required, though not sure if full Silver C, like Lasham. At least I cannot remember. Worth firing off a CV to their email.
