Tow plane ideas

On Wednesday, May 26, 2021 at 2:37:37 PM UTC-4, jackson...com wrote:
My glider club is looking into the possibility of a new or upgraded tow plane. We currently have a 160hp supercub, but we have also looked into a rare-as-hens-teeth piper pawnee. As i poke around barnstormers and trade a plane, i have seen ads for a 190hp vans RV-6, a maule 235, a stinson 200+ hp, motorgliders, cessna 188, etc.

Anyone out there have some ideas for a tow plane that might be very functional but also (perhaps) not well known? Ive seen stories on stinson's maule's and wilga's being used in the past, for example, but it would be good to hear of some currently used "unusual" towplanes.

thanks for any feedback!
I've towed with Citabria, Scout, Maule, Luscombe with 150hp, C-150-150, C-182, Pawnee (235 and 265), and an L-19. Citabria was OK, but under powered. Scout was good. Maule visibility is scary when towing. Luscombe wanted to swap ends when landing. C-150-150 was Ok but still a little weak. C-182 had overheating issues. Pawnees are easy to land, 235 has fixed pitch so less maintenance and operating expense than the 265, wing fuel reduces pilot fatigue compared to center tank on bumpy days. L-19 is an absolute pleasure to fly and tows well, but it's expensive to operate and becoming difficult to get parts. No perfect tow ship, all have pros and cons.

On Thursday, June 3, 2021 at 2:40:37 PM UTC-4, PGS S. wrote:
On Wednesday, May 26, 2021 at 2:37:37 PM UTC-4, jackson...com wrote:
My glider club is looking into the possibility of a new or upgraded tow plane. We currently have a 160hp supercub, but we have also looked into a rare-as-hens-teeth piper pawnee. As i poke around barnstormers and trade a plane, i have seen ads for a 190hp vans RV-6, a maule 235, a stinson 200+ hp, motorgliders, cessna 188, etc.

Anyone out there have some ideas for a tow plane that might be very functional but also (perhaps) not well known? Ive seen stories on stinson's maule's and wilga's being used in the past, for example, but it would be good to hear of some currently used "unusual" towplanes.

thanks for any feedback!
I've towed with Citabria, Scout, Maule, Luscombe with 150hp, C-150-150, C-182, Pawnee (235 and 265), and an L-19. Citabria was OK, but under powered.. Scout was good. Maule visibility is scary when towing. Luscombe wanted to swap ends when landing. C-150-150 was Ok but still a little weak. C-182 had overheating issues. Pawnees are easy to land, 235 has fixed pitch so less maintenance and operating expense than the 265, wing fuel reduces pilot fatigue compared to center tank on bumpy days. L-19 is an absolute pleasure to fly and tows well, but it's expensive to operate and becoming difficult to get parts. No perfect tow ship, all have pros and cons.

No perfect tow ship, all have pros and cons.

Probably also good to consider noise issues if sensitive neighbors are a concern. All of the CS props are noisy as heck -
especially the 260 hp Pawnee and the Callair when either has a CS prop.
Roy

Not so noisy if the pilot would only reduce propeller RPM after
achieving a safe climb.Â* I was the only tuggie at Moriarty who did
that.Â* The others make ear shattering noise as they over fly the
hangars.Â* They still have full propeller RPM after release.Â* Some people
never learn...

Dan
5J

On 6/3/21 2:19 PM, Roy B. wrote:
No perfect tow ship, all have pros and cons.

Probably also good to consider noise issues if sensitive neighbors are a concern. All of the CS props are noisy as heck -
especially the 260 hp Pawnee and the Callair when either has a CS prop.
Roy

On Thursday, June 3, 2021 at 6:35:29 PM UTC-4, Dan Marotta wrote:
Not so noisy if the pilot would only reduce propeller RPM after
achieving a safe climb. I was the only tuggie at Moriarty who did
that. The others make ear shattering noise as they over fly the
hangars. They still have full propeller RPM after release. Some people
never learn...

Dan
5J
On 6/3/21 2:19 PM, Roy B. wrote:
No perfect tow ship, all have pros and cons.

Probably also good to consider noise issues if sensitive neighbors are a concern. All of the CS props are noisy as heck -
especially the 260 hp Pawnee and the Callair when either has a CS prop.
Roy
Just remember, Duct Tape is not a fix for stupidity! Had a guy here at my strip that had a Cessna 185 with a constant speed prop. Every time that idiot took off he rattled the windows, he never learned, finally moved away. There is a perfect tow ship, one that you don't own and can get a tow whenever you want.

On Thursday, June 3, 2021 at 4:35:00 PM UTC-7, wrote:
On Thursday, June 3, 2021 at 6:35:29 PM UTC-4, Dan Marotta wrote:
Not so noisy if the pilot would only reduce propeller RPM after
achieving a safe climb. I was the only tuggie at Moriarty who did
that. The others make ear shattering noise as they over fly the
hangars. They still have full propeller RPM after release. Some people
never learn...

Dan
5J
On 6/3/21 2:19 PM, Roy B. wrote:
No perfect tow ship, all have pros and cons.

Probably also good to consider noise issues if sensitive neighbors are a concern. All of the CS props are noisy as heck -
especially the 260 hp Pawnee and the Callair when either has a CS prop.
Roy
Just remember, Duct Tape is not a fix for stupidity! Had a guy here at my strip that had a Cessna 185 with a constant speed prop. Every time that idiot took off he rattled the windows, he never learned, finally moved away. There is a perfect tow ship, one that you don't own and can get a tow whenever you want.

What about the Pipistrel Virus?
https://www.pipistrel-aircraft.com/a...-121/#tab-id-3
Tom

On Friday, June 4, 2021 at 6:11:38 PM UTC-7, 2G wrote:
On Thursday, June 3, 2021 at 4:35:00 PM UTC-7, wrote:
On Thursday, June 3, 2021 at 6:35:29 PM UTC-4, Dan Marotta wrote:
Not so noisy if the pilot would only reduce propeller RPM after
achieving a safe climb. I was the only tuggie at Moriarty who did
that. The others make ear shattering noise as they over fly the
hangars. They still have full propeller RPM after release. Some people
never learn...

Dan
5J
On 6/3/21 2:19 PM, Roy B. wrote:
No perfect tow ship, all have pros and cons.

Probably also good to consider noise issues if sensitive neighbors are a concern. All of the CS props are noisy as heck -
especially the 260 hp Pawnee and the Callair when either has a CS prop.
Roy
Just remember, Duct Tape is not a fix for stupidity! Had a guy here at my strip that had a Cessna 185 with a constant speed prop. Every time that idiot took off he rattled the windows, he never learned, finally moved away.. There is a perfect tow ship, one that you don't own and can get a tow whenever you want.
What about the Pipistrel Virus?
https://www.pipistrel-aircraft.com/a...-121/#tab-id-3
Tom

I don’t think it’s legal to tow in the US with one.

AS

On Friday, June 4, 2021 at 6:11:38 PM UTC-7, 2G wrote:

What about the Pipistrel Virus?
https://www.pipistrel-aircraft.com/a...-121/#tab-id-3
Tom



With 100 hp, and no turbo, it'll be a long, slow slog at higher altitude airports.

Surprised no one has mentioned the Husky. With 180 hp, I've towed single place out of Minden no problem, a 2 place with "full size" pilots is doable but unimpressive compared to the Pawnee. I've only done that once to rescue a friend's land-out.

bumper

















w

On Saturday, June 5, 2021 at 7:12:32 AM UTC-7, bumper wrote:
On Friday, June 4, 2021 at 6:11:38 PM UTC-7, 2G wrote:
What about the Pipistrel Virus?
https://www.pipistrel-aircraft.com/a...-121/#tab-id-3
Tom
With 100 hp, and no turbo, it'll be a long, slow slog at higher altitude airports.

Surprised no one has mentioned the Husky. With 180 hp, I've towed single place out of Minden no problem, a 2 place with "full size" pilots is doable but unimpressive compared to the Pawnee. I've only done that once to rescue a friend's land-out.

bumper

A lot of airports in the US are near sea level - only the western US high deserts have high altitude airports.

Tom