Tow plane ideas

I would scour the Earth to find a suitable Pawnee before I would accept a substitute tow plane. The club in which I belong too operates 2 of them. We also have a 180HP Super Cub. I have towed behind other tow planes in other locations which always left me unimpressed. Pawnees are still out there. Lots of them are still farm fresh though. In my opinion they should be stripped and the ferrous items evaluated and epoxy primered. Those chemicals that the spayers use are extremely caustic.
The real issue is......what’s your budget? You can spend $50-60K on a “working� Pawnee, then another 70-80K having it restored to make a good tow plane. Then you will have roughly $125K in a great tow plane that could fetch you $90K should you choose to sell it.
Other than these financial pit falls, I feel the Pawnee is the best tow plane by far. Extremely durable, great visibility, relatively easy to get parts (though sometimes you have to get them from Argentina—-which is painful). Very easy to fly. And there are enough of us out there maintaining these things that the knowledge base is still really strong.
Are 2 pawnees have been completely gone through, epoxy coated and new Ceconite covered. I wouldn’t consider parting with them as long as we are pulling gliders around. Once you get a good one you will keep it as long as your club is operating. Good Luck!

On Monday, June 7, 2021 at 10:36:02 AM UTC-7, wrote:
I would scour the Earth to find a suitable Pawnee before I would accept a substitute tow plane. The club in which I belong too operates 2 of them. We also have a 180HP Super Cub. I have towed behind other tow planes in other locations which always left me unimpressed. Pawnees are still out there. Lots of them are still farm fresh though. In my opinion they should be stripped and the ferrous items evaluated and epoxy primered. Those chemicals that the spayers use are extremely caustic.
The real issue is......what’s your budget? You can spend $50-60K on a “working� Pawnee, then another 70-80K having it restored to make a good tow plane. Then you will have roughly $125K in a great tow plane that could fetch you $90K should you choose to sell it.
Other than these financial pit falls, I feel the Pawnee is the best tow plane by far. Extremely durable, great visibility, relatively easy to get parts (though sometimes you have to get them from Argentina—-which is painful). Very easy to fly. And there are enough of us out there maintaining these things that the knowledge base is still really strong.
Are 2 pawnees have been completely gone through, epoxy coated and new Ceconite covered. I wouldn’t consider parting with them as long as we are pulling gliders around. Once you get a good one you will keep it as long as your club is operating. Good Luck!

The original poster was/is looking for alternatives to Pawnees, so I assume that he already knows about the merits/demerits of Pawnees.

Tom

On Monday, June 7, 2021 at 8:34:01 PM UTC-4, 2G wrote:
On Monday, June 7, 2021 at 10:36:02 AM UTC-7, wrote:
I would scour the Earth to find a suitable Pawnee before I would accept a substitute tow plane. The club in which I belong too operates 2 of them. We also have a 180HP Super Cub. I have towed behind other tow planes in other locations which always left me unimpressed. Pawnees are still out there.. Lots of them are still farm fresh though. In my opinion they should be stripped and the ferrous items evaluated and epoxy primered. Those chemicals that the spayers use are extremely caustic.
The real issue is......what’s your budget? You can spend $50-60K on a “working� Pawnee, then another 70-80K having it restored to make a good tow plane. Then you will have roughly $125K in a great tow plane that could fetch you $90K should you choose to sell it.
Other than these financial pit falls, I feel the Pawnee is the best tow plane by far. Extremely durable, great visibility, relatively easy to get parts (though sometimes you have to get them from Argentina—-which is painful). Very easy to fly. And there are enough of us out there maintaining these things that the knowledge base is still really strong.
Are 2 pawnees have been completely gone through, epoxy coated and new Ceconite covered. I wouldn’t consider parting with them as long as we are pulling gliders around. Once you get a good one you will keep it as long as your club is operating. Good Luck!
The original poster was/is looking for alternatives to Pawnees, so I assume that he already knows about the merits/demerits of Pawnees.

Tom
Andy, the more you post the confirmation of my opinion of you goes to a higher bar. Here you are a motorglider guy trying to tell the purist community that a 100 hp Rotax is a good alternative for a towplane. Please bring one of those pimp mobiles to Florida so that I may tie it to the tow line at the end of my Pawnee and drag it through the sky. The Purist, Old Bob

On Wednesday, June 9, 2021 at 2:52:50 PM UTC-7, wrote:
On Monday, June 7, 2021 at 8:34:01 PM UTC-4, 2G wrote:
On Monday, June 7, 2021 at 10:36:02 AM UTC-7, wrote:
I would scour the Earth to find a suitable Pawnee before I would accept a substitute tow plane. The club in which I belong too operates 2 of them. We also have a 180HP Super Cub. I have towed behind other tow planes in other locations which always left me unimpressed. Pawnees are still out there. Lots of them are still farm fresh though. In my opinion they should be stripped and the ferrous items evaluated and epoxy primered. Those chemicals that the spayers use are extremely caustic.
The real issue is......what’s your budget? You can spend $50-60K on a “working� Pawnee, then another 70-80K having it restored to make a good tow plane. Then you will have roughly $125K in a great tow plane that could fetch you $90K should you choose to sell it.
Other than these financial pit falls, I feel the Pawnee is the best tow plane by far. Extremely durable, great visibility, relatively easy to get parts (though sometimes you have to get them from Argentina—-which is painful). Very easy to fly. And there are enough of us out there maintaining these things that the knowledge base is still really strong.
Are 2 pawnees have been completely gone through, epoxy coated and new Ceconite covered. I wouldn’t consider parting with them as long as we are pulling gliders around. Once you get a good one you will keep it as long as your club is operating. Good Luck!
The original poster was/is looking for alternatives to Pawnees, so I assume that he already knows about the merits/demerits of Pawnees.

Tom
Andy, the more you post the confirmation of my opinion of you goes to a higher bar. Here you are a motorglider guy trying to tell the purist community that a 100 hp Rotax is a good alternative for a towplane. Please bring one of those pimp mobiles to Florida so that I may tie it to the tow line at the end of my Pawnee and drag it through the sky. The Purist, Old Bob
Racist comments are unwelcome on RAS, Bobby.

If you want a cool tow plane, not cheap, but way cool, try one of these

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4X0YqA8byOg

Originally Posted by Ross[_3_]

If you want a cool tow plane, not cheap, but way cool, try one of these

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4X0YqA8byOg

Wow, only about 1.5 to 2 million and you're off to the races, if you can find a helicopter pilot crazy enough to do this. That being said and having hung out with helicopter pilots for the last few years I can tell you that there are many crazy enough to do it. Insurance company is going to have a fit though, boxing the wake would be very interesting. Low tow is the way to go here but as a former Pawnee tow pilot with 7000 tows and currently flying helicopters myself I can see a lot of potential for problems. 1. Each tow would probably cost 500 to 750 dollars and that would eliminate discussion of all other problems. IF Mihai wants to buy a Hughs 500 I'd be willing to give it a try, NOT.

Walt Connelly
Former tow pilot
Now Happy Helicopter Pilot

On Saturday, June 12, 2021 at 8:43:11 AM UTC-4, Walt Connelly wrote:
'Ross[_3_ Wrote:
;1044492']If you want a cool tow plane, not cheap, but way cool, try one
of these

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4X0YqA8byOg
Wow, only about 1.5 to 2 million and you're off to the races, if you can
find a helicopter pilot crazy enough to do this. That being said and
having hung out with helicopter pilots for the last few years I can tell
you that there are many crazy enough to do it. Insurance company is
going to have a fit though, boxing the wake would be very interesting.
Low tow is the way to go here but as a former Pawnee tow pilot with
7000 tows and currently flying helicopters myself I can see a lot of
potential for problems. 1. Each tow would probably cost 500 to 750
dollars and that would eliminate discussion of all other problems. IF
Mihai wants to buy a Hughs 500 I'd be willing to give it a try, NOT.

Walt Connelly
Former tow pilot
Now Happy Helicopter Pilot




--
Walt Connelly
Hey Walt, wishing you well. Didn't know if you 9 seen this eye-opening video, glad I did: https://youtu.be/b-XMaLKl4c4

On Saturday, June 12, 2021 at 8:43:11 AM UTC-4, Walt Connelly wrote:
'Ross[_3_ Wrote:
;1044492']If you want a cool tow plane, not cheap, but way cool, try one
of these

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4X0YqA8byOg
Wow, only about 1.5 to 2 million and you're off to the races, if you can
find a helicopter pilot crazy enough to do this. That being said and
having hung out with helicopter pilots for the last few years I can tell
you that there are many crazy enough to do it. Insurance company is
going to have a fit though, boxing the wake would be very interesting.
Low tow is the way to go here but as a former Pawnee tow pilot with
7000 tows and currently flying helicopters myself I can see a lot of
potential for problems. 1. Each tow would probably cost 500 to 750
dollars and that would eliminate discussion of all other problems. IF
Mihai wants to buy a Hughs 500 I'd be willing to give it a try, NOT.

Walt Connelly
Former tow pilot
Now Happy Helicopter Pilot




--
Walt Connelly
There is a Bolkow 105 here at my place that would do the job!

Originally Posted by

On Saturday, June 12, 2021 at 8:43:11 AM UTC-4, Walt Connelly wrote:
'Ross[_3_ Wrote:
;1044492']If you want a cool tow plane, not cheap, but way cool, try one
of these

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4X0YqA8byOg
Wow, only about 1.5 to 2 million and you're off to the races, if you can
find a helicopter pilot crazy enough to do this. That being said and
having hung out with helicopter pilots for the last few years I can tell
you that there are many crazy enough to do it. Insurance company is
going to have a fit though, boxing the wake would be very interesting.
Low tow is the way to go here but as a former Pawnee tow pilot with
7000 tows and currently flying helicopters myself I can see a lot of
potential for problems. 1. Each tow would probably cost 500 to 750
dollars and that would eliminate discussion of all other problems. IF
Mihai wants to buy a Hughs 500 I'd be willing to give it a try, NOT.

Walt Connelly
Former tow pilot
Now Happy Helicopter Pilot




--
Walt Connelly
There is a Bolkow 105 here at my place that would do the job!

Yo Bob, I stopped by your place late Yesterday (Saturday) afternoon. Had to drop off some things for my brother in Vero to store for me, got struck by lightning Friday the 4th, blew a hole in my living room and started a fire in a bedroom. I didn't hear well before this, hear even worse now, loudest explosion I've heard since Vietnam but being inside the house amplified it quite a bit. Saw that SCHWEIZER hook on the tail end of your Pawnee. ??????? At least you have a big, stout and easily accessible release handle, looks like the mechanical advantage should be there. Word of advice to all, get your loss of use insurance up high, glad I did, I have 93K dollars to pay for lodging, food, etc while my place is being repair, probably 4 months I understand, maybe more.

Walt

On Sunday, June 13, 2021 at 8:43:27 AM UTC-4, Walt Connelly wrote:
;1044506 Wrote:
On Saturday, June 12, 2021 at 8:43:11 AM UTC-4, Walt Connelly wrote:-
'Ross[_3_ Wrote: -
;1044492']If you want a cool tow plane, not cheap, but way cool, try
one
of these

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4X0YqA8byOg-
Wow, only about 1.5 to 2 million and you're off to the races, if you
can
find a helicopter pilot crazy enough to do this. That being said and
having hung out with helicopter pilots for the last few years I can
tell
you that there are many crazy enough to do it. Insurance company is
going to have a fit though, boxing the wake would be very interesting.

Low tow is the way to go here but as a former Pawnee tow pilot with
7000 tows and currently flying helicopters myself I can see a lot of
potential for problems. 1. Each tow would probably cost 500 to 750
dollars and that would eliminate discussion of all other problems. IF
Mihai wants to buy a Hughs 500 I'd be willing to give it a try, NOT.

Walt Connelly
Former tow pilot
Now Happy Helicopter Pilot




--
Walt Connelly-
There is a Bolkow 105 here at my place that would do the job!
Yo Bob, I stopped by your place late Yesterday (Saturday) afternoon.
Had to drop off some things for my brother in Vero to store for me, got
struck by lightning Friday the 4th, blew a hole in my living room and
started a fire in a bedroom. I didn't hear well before this, hear even
worse now, loudest explosion I've heard since Vietnam but being inside
the house amplified it quite a bit. Saw that SCHWEIZER hook on the tail
end of your Pawnee. ??????? At least you have a big, stout and easily
accessible release handle, looks like the mechanical advantage should be
there. Word of advice to all, get your loss of use insurance up high,
glad I did, I have 93K dollars to pay for lodging, food, etc while my
place is being repair, probably 4 months I understand, maybe more.

Walt




--
Walt Connelly
Walt, sorry I missed you, that was not a Schweizer but a Pacific Aero hook, much better than the Schweizer. I am awaiting a bit of opportunity to install the TOST, still have it in the box. That Pawnee, AKA as the Towpecker is very stout! Come on back and see us soon, spend the day and hop in the Towpecker, you will be very satisfied. Bob