Tow plane types/mods for high density altitude glider towing

On Wednesday, August 14, 2019 at 7:33:57 AM UTC-7, Dan Marotta wrote:
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

Akaflieg Stuttgart just flew their concept of an optimized towplane. Congratulations to all the students and their mentors.

https://akaflieg.hg.stuvus.uni-stutt...EvgsGCyBGeZLCI

Craig

On Wednesday, August 14, 2019 at 10:35:01 AM UTC-6, Craig Funston wrote:
On Wednesday, August 14, 2019 at 7:33:57 AM UTC-7, Dan Marotta wrote:
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

Akaflieg Stuttgart just flew their concept of an optimized towplane. Congratulations to all the students and their mentors.

https://akaflieg.hg.stuvus.uni-stutt...EvgsGCyBGeZLCI

Craig

That looks promising. Now to make them "affordable".

On Wed, 14 Aug 2019 09:34:59 -0700, Craig Funston wrote:

On Wednesday, August 14, 2019 at 7:33:57 AM UTC-7, Dan Marotta wrote:
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/parts/19370416.html?
gclid=Cj0KCQjwv8nqBRDGARIsAHfR9wC30A7wF3SFSrhYOBoL dkinr_7MGZMpHxignUEhA1qfW5iBSSEbHwAaAhPlEALw_wcB

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

--
Dan, 5J

Akaflieg Stuttgart just flew their concept of an optimized towplane.
Congratulations to all the students and their mentors.

https://akaflieg.hg.stuvus.uni-stutt...erstflug-fs35-
harpyie/?
fbclid=IwAR1rgq8zp1xdRFvQTqvAQGbklVeiF76CE0bKvKbdx jlFvEvgsGCyBGeZLCI

I remember a couple of specialist tow planes appearing a few years ago,
apparently to disappear without trace a bit later. One came from an
Akaflieg and was dual purpose: two seat aerobatic aircraft and tow-plane.
The other was from the Finnish Akaflieg equivalent - the PIK-27.

Are either in use as tow-planes now?

Has more than the prototype of either type been built?


--
Martin | martin at
Gregorie | gregorie dot org

On Wednesday, August 14, 2019 at 7:33:57 AM UTC-7, Dan Marotta wrote:
That is super!

Was there any difficulty with your CAA or was the GFA authorized to make
those mods?
--
Dan, 5J

The original LS1-mod Pawnee, VH-CUR is EXP. Don't think they've certified one yet.
Jim

Leave it to the Italians.Â* A Bird Dog with panache!

On 8/13/2019 12:57 PM, 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

--
Dan, 5J

On Monday, August 12, 2019 at 9:38:43 PM UTC-4, son_of_flubber wrote:
What are your favorite aircraft types (and modifications) for glider towing in high density altitude and/or short runways?

The C-188 300 constant speed prop is a great towplane. I am already planning to make one my next project.

On Thursday, August 15, 2019 at 12:44:46 PM UTC-4, Bob Youngblood wrote:
On Monday, August 12, 2019 at 9:38:43 PM UTC-4, son_of_flubber wrote:
What are your favorite aircraft types (and modifications) for glider towing in high density altitude and/or short runways?

The C-188 300 constant speed prop is a great towplane. I am already planning to make one my next project.

Don't do it if you have neighbors. Second loudest tug I've seen, behind only a 650 Agcat.
UH

Hmmmm.....not sure if our field.....remember a short time tug that was great, but maybe 75% throttle lit up the local PoPo....
Yeah.....not many tows, but they were fun......
;-)
;-)

On Tuesday, August 13, 2019 at 11:38:43 AM UTC+10, son_of_flubber wrote:
What are your favorite aircraft types (and modifications) for glider towing in high density altitude and/or short runways?

eTugs are now certified in Australia and are in production. Tow costs are half avgas powered PA25 - 235 tugs.
Michael

On Thursday, August 15, 2019 at 6:20:09 PM UTC-7, wrote:
On Tuesday, August 13, 2019 at 11:38:43 AM UTC+10, son_of_flubber wrote:
What are your favorite aircraft types (and modifications) for glider towing in high density altitude and/or short runways?

eTugs are now certified in Australia and are in production. Tow costs are half avgas powered PA25 - 235 tugs.
Michael

Michael, are they producing a two seat version of the eTug?

Cheers,
Craig