On Sunday, November 27, 2016 at 2:29:40 AM UTC-5, JS wrote:
On Saturday, November 26, 2016 at 7:40:01 PM UTC-8, Casey wrote:
On Saturday, November 26, 2016 at 12:06:03 AM UTC-5, son_of_flubber wrote:
Will GP electric drive gliders be certified to aerotow with the boom deployed and the motor turned off? (Boom extended in case of PT3. Aerotow to save the battery charge for later in the flight.)

Has this been done before? Any german motorized gliders "certified" with engine deployed and not running? I've never heard of such a thing. Yes a FES is probably safer for towing, but FES and boom motor are apples and oranges. I'm curious to know you question reasoning.

Casey

I've aero towed the ASH26E (EXP) with the engine running. 5000RPM worked best.
Up and not running would be silly. Similar to air brakes open.
Don't understand how a FES would be safer for towing. Wouldn't the ropy bit get stuck in the propellery thing?
Jim

Jim,

Referring to low termination of tow the FES is just turning the knob for full power, allowing tow pilot leeway and the glider to get out of way is probably the best safety issue I can think of. I don't know any stats for low termination of tows but I do know of a club that had a couple rope breaks in one season.

Casey