C 172XP Towplane

How about the Cessna 150/150?

The Central Ohio Soaring CLlb has two 150/150s. We normally fly off grass. They
do well with our fleet untill the Grob 103 at max gross weight on a summer day
is ready for towing. Then we switch to the hard surface runway. Dito with
gliders carrying water ballast. Field elevation is 990ft.msl.

Parts are easy to find, maintaince is a no brainer and avilabe at almost any
airport. No tail wheel expirencs is needed, that requirement would in fact
would eliminate more than half of our tow pilots. Not just because of an
endorsment but because of the number of hours the insurance company requires.

The 150/150 is of course as easy to fly as anything can be. The worse feature
is the high wing and the lack of visability in turns. You need to raise the
wing, look and then turn in that direction.

The club evaluated the 150/180 but most thought it did not climb all that much
better than the 150/150. I never flew it so I can't say. Most of the time I tow
I am wishing for a bit more climb rate.


Robert Mudd