Aero-Towing - Favorite Tugs

[Dumorian]

I'm wondering what planes are favorite tugs for aero-towing. It would be nice to get particulars such as why you like the model and the features about it that make it a great tug. Also, ideas on power systems as well as what size gliders can be handled by your tug(s).

Me? Well, I had a Senior Telemaster setup for aero-towing. I only had one comical afternoon of trying it. The next day I lost the model due to a radio lockout. There were two things I really didn't care for about that model. One is it floated forever when landing. I cured that by adding flaps. The other was if there was any sort of side wind, there wasn't enough rudder authority to fully control it during the transition between the tailwheel touching down or lifting off. I had planned to increase the rudder size to about double... but now all I have is a box of balsa scrap and a mostly complete set of wings.

I have purchased a Super Decathlon kit. 89" wingspan. This model should come in at about 14 or 15 pounds. I plan to use either a 26cc or 40cc gasser on it. I'm a bit torn between on this model for a tug only because of the cantilevered rudder and elevator. I'm visualizing the tug cord getting caught in the gap should I need to do a release from the tug. If this can be overcome, I'm thinking I should be able to tug up like 4m gliders to around 10 pounds. All speculation at this point.

So, what do you use for a tug and how do you like the performance of your tug? Pros and cons.

[jfrickey]

This is a Pegasus 2 by John Derstine who is no longer around. I do have plans if I need to build another.
It has 114 inch wing span, weighs 35 lbs and is powered by a 3W-120 with a 28/12 3 blade mejelick prop. 64 oz fuel tank good for about 2hrs towing ( which I did at the 05 JR Aerotow)
It can pull up to 50 lb gliders and even as small as 2 meters.
Check out the June 07 issue of RC Soaring Digest on line for details of the last aerotow our club had.
I also included a picture of my friends 140 inch all molded Turbo Porter powered by a BME 110.

[RustyTumbles]

We use a super hots blown up to 3.5m, Its powered by a 3w 157 and it flies like a massive fun fly. Short landings are easily achieveable but the long tow line make that a little harder than normal. Power is insane and it will pull 40lbs gliders up at 45-60 degrees.

We currently have a cessna 195 being built wich will be electric powered. Should make a great tow plane.

[pure micshef]

Hi guys I personally use an Austars Ag husky for towing with a DL 50 for 1/4 scale models, a Hanger
9 pawnee with an e-flight 90 on 6S for 1/5 scale models and am finishing off a 40% Comp Arf 3.1 extra for towing the rest of my big stuff. Shortly I'll be starting a 40% pawnee with a DL 222 up front, why so many tugs....that depends on my mood and what I feel like towing, but they all fly well.

[Borries]

Esm/Kmp Cessna 185 with a 50cc DL

BB

[pure micshef]

yep I have to agree with Borries on this one I miss mine heaps.....nah I got a bigger one now

Hows the prop working out for towing Borries?

[RustyTumbles]

	Quote: Originally Posted by pure micshef
	Hi guys I personally use an Austars Ag husky for towing with a DL 50 for 1/4 scale models, a Hanger 9 pawnee with an e-flight 90 on 6S for 1/5 scale models and am finishing off a 40% Comp Arf 3.1 extra for towing the rest of my big stuff. Shortly I'll be starting a 40% pawnee with a DL 222 up front, why so many tugs....that depends on my mood and what I feel like towing, but they all fly well.

What weights and spans are you towing with the husky? Just purchased a set of plans for a 1/4 scale woodstock, was thinking of blowing it up to 1/3 scale. Looking for something around the 50cc mark for a tug as I may not have access to the "super hots" next year.

[Cracky]

	Quote: Originally Posted by pure micshef
	a Hanger 9 pawnee

That is a cute little model. A friend let me fly his for a while. Fun to buzz the ground and keep it close.

[pure micshef]

Hi there Rusty still early days yet but so far I have towed a 4 meter pic 20 @ 8 1/2 lbs in a very posative manner on a 23x8 wood I'm now running a 22x10 I'd say up to 5 meters comfortably but I'll be having a crack at towing my 10 kg 6 meter Lentus soon..... a big ask maybe but we'll see.

cheers Rossco.

[RustyTumbles]

Do you tow in circuits or just a straight climb out. I am trying to get the guys here to try some circuits while on the tow. So far I have only got them to turn 90 degrees while on the tow. Personally I think it would be better to release the glider in a position closer to the strip rather than 1 mile up wind.

[pure micshef]

To be honest a bit of a mixture, either S turns infront so you tack accross the wind or if there is no wind some guys like to tow in circles infront, we even towed at Sheparton last year in the flying circuit, all was well until the tug put it's nose down with a highly loaded B4 on the back and you guessed it I passed the tug.....

[pitviper51]

awsome this thread came to life!. currently my club uses a 110 rascal for tug, the a-1 aviat husky i am building for bush flying may get used depends on how much power, but its heavy as is. ohh i reallly like the 185!.. tho with aeroworks releasign the 195 radial cowl... purdy.
mike

[RustyTumbles]

	Quote: Originally Posted by pure micshef
	To be honest a bit of a mixture, either S turns infront so you tack accross the wind or if there is no wind some guys like to tow in circles infront, we even towed at Sheparton last year in the flying circuit, all was well until the tug put it's nose down with a highly loaded B4 on the back and you guessed it I passed the tug.....

Cool, we will be doing some more towing over the easter long weekend. Also have a new (smaller) tug to maiden. Should be good weather for thermals too.

[JLeyland]

Would anyone mind posting some pictures of their tow setup? (close ups of the attach point etc) I'd really appreciate it. I'm about to start building a 12' Telemaster and would like to make it a tow plane. I think it'll be a good one!
thanks for any help
Jon

[pitviper51]

the 12 ft telemaster will be perfect! sorry no pics..
mike