Tow plane types/mods for high density altitude glider towing

On Monday, August 12, 2019 at 11:04:05 PM UTC-4, Papa3 wrote:

They used to have 450hp Stearman at Stroudsburg. It wasn't a tow so much as being dragged vertically into the air.


P3

I once saw Jim Parker take off and tow a glider behind a Pitts Special... at 100 knots. They towed XC to an air show.

Dennis Tito tows with a turbine Cessna 206 or 207. Perlan is using a turbine Grob. I have towed behind a turbine Ag Cat. Agree on the “being dragged skyward� comment. Was at 2K agl at the end of the runway..

I Have towed a loaded SGS 2-32 and loaded Janus out of Aspen, CO dozens of times with a 180 Cub. Not recommended.....

The 260 and 235 Pawnee, C-188, or big engine 182, 180, 185 have all worked well at Ely and Parowan and other high desert sites for decades.

I've seen a tow behind a Pilatus Turboporter at Gap Tallard

At 04:14 13 August 2019, wrote:
Dennis Tito tows with a turbine Cessna 206 or 207. Perlan is using a
turbi=
ne Grob. I have towed behind a turbine Ag Cat. Agree on the
=E2=80=9Cbein=
g dragged skyward=E2=80=9D comment. Was at 2K agl at the end of the
runway=
..

I Have towed a loaded SGS 2-32 and loaded Janus out of Aspen, CO dozens
of
=
times with a 180 Cub. Not recommended.....

The 260 and 235 Pawnee, C-188, or big engine 182, 180, 185 have all
worked
=
well at Ely and Parowan and other high desert sites for decades.

At 08:07 13 August 2019, Peter F wrote:
I've seen a tow behind a Pilatus Turboporter at Gap Tallard

I've *had* a tow behind a Pilatus at Gap-Tallard. My pupil had no trouble
flying the 2-seat glider ... but the Pilatus pilot (disappointingly?) used

significantly reduced power!

On Monday, August 12, 2019 at 7:38:43 PM UTC-6, son_of_flubber wrote:
What are your favorite aircraft types (and modifications) for glider towing in high density altitude and/or short runways?

Mark Keene once told me about towing with one of these at Uvalde making a 2000ft tow and return in under three minutes. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SIAI-Marchetti_SM.1019

28 variants on the US registry.

Frank Whiteley

On Tuesday, August 13, 2019 at 2:57:24 PM UTC-4, Frank Whiteley wrote:
On Monday, August 12, 2019 at 7:38:43 PM UTC-6, son_of_flubber wrote:
What are your favorite aircraft types (and modifications) for glider towing in high density altitude and/or short runways?

Mark Keene once told me about towing with one of these at Uvalde making a 2000ft tow and return in under three minutes. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SIAI-Marchetti_SM.1019

28 variants on the US registry.

Frank Whiteley

I towed behind Mark in my '28. We had 2000 feet in 1:40. He told me he was using 40% power.
UH

On Tuesday, August 13, 2019 at 1:42:14 PM UTC-6, wrote:
On Tuesday, August 13, 2019 at 2:57:24 PM UTC-4, Frank Whiteley wrote:
On Monday, August 12, 2019 at 7:38:43 PM UTC-6, son_of_flubber wrote:
What are your favorite aircraft types (and modifications) for glider towing in high density altitude and/or short runways?

Mark Keene once told me about towing with one of these at Uvalde making a 2000ft tow and return in under three minutes. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SIAI-Marchetti_SM.1019

28 variants on the US registry.

Frank Whiteley

I towed behind Mark in my '28. We had 2000 feet in 1:40. He told me he was using 40% power.
UH

Now that I think about it, I believe Mark said his tow cycle time was 2.5 minutes. Must have been an interesting view from the glider;^)

Frank

Regarding mods, the eTug deserves mention.
A Pawnee with a 350 cubic inch Chevy LS1 running on Mogas. Early experiments provided too steep a climb angle, so the original 4-blade prop was adjusted to decrease the climb rate. Now it has a different prop.
I've hooked many gliders up to eTug, yet to tow behind it.

https://www.glidingclub.org.au/membe...aircraft/etug/

These days a crate LS3 engine can be purchased for about $8000 and produces 430HP on Mogas. Car engines require a PSRU (speed reduction).

https://www.gmperformancemotor.com/p... AhPlEALw_wcB

Not much concern about shock cooling or leaded Avgas going away.
Jim

At 20:08 13 August 2019, JS wrote:
Regarding mods, the eTug deserves mention.
A Pawnee with a 350 cubic inch Chevy LS1 running on Mogas. Early
experiments provided too steep a climb angle, so the original 4-blade
prop
was adjusted to decrease the climb rate. Now it has a different prop.
I've hooked many gliders up to eTug, yet to tow behind it.

https://www.glidingclub.org.au/membe...aircraft/etug/

These days a crate LS3 engine can be purchased for about $8000 and
produces
430HP on Mogas. Car engines require a PSRU (speed reduction).

https://www.gmperformancemotor.com/parts/19370416.html?
gclid=Cj0KCQjwv8nqBRDGARIsAHfR9wC30A7wF3SFSrhYOBoL dkinr_7M
GZMpHxignUEhA1qfW5iBSSEbHwAaAhPlEALw_wcB

Not much concern about shock cooling or leaded Avgas going away.
Jim

A Zlin Z-137t would seam to do the job. This is turbine powered and
there is a video on U tube of one towing 9 x L13 Blanics in one tow.

That is super!

Was there any difficulty with your CAA or was the GFA authorized to make
those mods?

On 8/13/2019 2:08 PM, JS wrote:
Regarding mods, the eTug deserves mention.
A Pawnee with a 350 cubic inch Chevy LS1 running on Mogas. Early experiments provided too steep a climb angle, so the original 4-blade prop was adjusted to decrease the climb rate. Now it has a different prop.
I've hooked many gliders up to eTug, yet to tow behind it.

https://www.glidingclub.org.au/membe...aircraft/etug/

These days a crate LS3 engine can be purchased for about $8000 and produces 430HP on Mogas. Car engines require a PSRU (speed reduction).

https://www.gmperformancemotor.com/p... AhPlEALw_wcB

Not much concern about shock cooling or leaded Avgas going away.
Jim

--
Dan, 5J