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Tow Hook on Cessna 180 - Update



 
 
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  #1  
Old October 10th 03, 12:54 AM
Stuart Grant
external usenet poster
 
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Default Tow Hook on Cessna 180 - Update

Thanks for all the private responses. I don't have everything needed
for a legal installation yet but I am now relatively certain it is
possible. Neal Pfeiffer was kind enough to put me in touch with
Charles Pate at Cessna's Structural Engineering Department. Charles
directed me to the FAA's Advisory Circular 43.13-2A figure 8.9 which
is online at:

http://www.airweb.faa.gov/Regulatory...visoryCircular
..nsf/1ab39b4ed563b08985256a35006d56af/e533bb05389c90e486256a54006e47b2/$FILE
/Chapter%201-8.pdf

If it wraps cut and paste it as required to make a link. It gives
general guidelines for installing tow hooks on tailwheel and tricyle
gear airplanes.

He also forwarded a document file which described Cessna's testing of
100 series aircraft for towing and how nearly all structurally handle
1,200 lbs x 150% at various tow angles. This document is probably
available on letterhead from Cessna's Structural Department. Allow at
least a couple of weeks if you need a copy. Mr. Pate also sent photos
of an installation he saw in Texas.

The best information he sent were some unofficial copies of the
Javelin Aircraft STC for the tow-hook installation. He said that David
Blanton Sr. who passed away a few years ago donated the tow-hook STC
to the SSA. The STC drawing shows how to fabricate a steel bracket
that connects to the tailwheel using longer versions of the original
through-bolts. It is a very clean installation. I have been told
Gasser Banner can supply the bracket and the Schweizer hook. I have
contacted the SSA about purchasing the STC and Gasser Banner about
getting the Bracket and Hook. Interesting that the Javelin STC uses a
nylon cord running from the hook along the outside of the fuselage
through the pilot side window tied to the "assist strap" with a
specified amount of slack. To release the tow line you pull on the
cord. Seems like a very elegant solution - especially if you only plan
on towing ocassionally.

I hope the SSA has its act together enough to market the STC.
Hope this will be helpful to someone else in the future.
  #2  
Old October 10th 03, 02:06 AM
Vaughn
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default


"Stuart Grant" wrote in message
om...
Charles Pate at Cessna's Structural Engineering Department. Charles
directed me to the FAA's Advisory Circular 43.13-2A figure 8.9 which
is online at:


http://www.airweb.faa.gov/Regulatory...visoryCircular

..nsf/1ab39b4ed563b08985256a35006d56af/e533bb05389c90e486256a54006e47b2/$FILE
/Chapter%201-8.pdf


Try this one: http://tinyurl.com/qe6d


Vaughn


  #3  
Old October 12th 03, 03:15 PM
roger druce
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Please reconsider:
a. Any use of the Schweizer release for a tow hook. It doesn't work
under high side loads. It is outdated and should be discarded. Use a Tost
release.
b. Any use of a rope along the fuselage for release actuation. Too
much stretch plus doesn't give you any force multiplication when things go
wrong and you need to ensure the ability of the tow pilot to release.

AC 43.13 Part 2A figure 8.3 shows a 5:1 lever. This is what you need to get
leverage and ensure that the tow pilot can release. But then also with a
lever there are issues with ensuring pilot access to the lever in emergency.
So a lot of thought as to the lever design and location is required.

AC43.13 Part 2A para 132c talks about 1/16" steel cable minimum. Again over
a long length this is too stretchy. Use 1/8" aircraft cable.

Try for best modern practice, not just using old data because it is
available.

A search of r.a.s archives will probably turn up more useful commentary.

Roger Druce

"Stuart Grant" wrote in message
om...
Thanks for all the private responses. I don't have everything needed
for a legal installation yet but I am now relatively certain it is
possible. Neal Pfeiffer was kind enough to put me in touch with
Charles Pate at Cessna's Structural Engineering Department. Charles
directed me to the FAA's Advisory Circular 43.13-2A figure 8.9 which
is online at:


http://www.airweb.faa.gov/Regulatory...visoryCircular

..nsf/1ab39b4ed563b08985256a35006d56af/e533bb05389c90e486256a54006e47b2/$FILE
/Chapter%201-8.pdf

If it wraps cut and paste it as required to make a link. It gives
general guidelines for installing tow hooks on tailwheel and tricyle
gear airplanes.

He also forwarded a document file which described Cessna's testing of
100 series aircraft for towing and how nearly all structurally handle
1,200 lbs x 150% at various tow angles. This document is probably
available on letterhead from Cessna's Structural Department. Allow at
least a couple of weeks if you need a copy. Mr. Pate also sent photos
of an installation he saw in Texas.

The best information he sent were some unofficial copies of the
Javelin Aircraft STC for the tow-hook installation. He said that David
Blanton Sr. who passed away a few years ago donated the tow-hook STC
to the SSA. The STC drawing shows how to fabricate a steel bracket
that connects to the tailwheel using longer versions of the original
through-bolts. It is a very clean installation. I have been told
Gasser Banner can supply the bracket and the Schweizer hook. I have
contacted the SSA about purchasing the STC and Gasser Banner about
getting the Bracket and Hook. Interesting that the Javelin STC uses a
nylon cord running from the hook along the outside of the fuselage
through the pilot side window tied to the "assist strap" with a
specified amount of slack. To release the tow line you pull on the
cord. Seems like a very elegant solution - especially if you only plan
on towing ocassionally.

I hope the SSA has its act together enough to market the STC.
Hope this will be helpful to someone else in the future.



  #4  
Old October 12th 03, 05:58 PM
Chip Fitzpatrick
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Phil. Glider Council put Tost hooks on both our Pawnee and L-19. I
believe our tow pilots would highly endorse the set up for safety
considerations.

contact me if you want to talk to someone about the approval process.

Chip Fitzpatrick
  #5  
Old October 13th 03, 02:12 AM
Rod Pool
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Posts: n/a
Default

Stuart

Before useing a Schweizer tow rig give serious consideration to the
info on this website

http://home.att.net/~jdburch/index.htm

I too would reccommend a tost tow rig only. Far safer for both the tow
pilot and glider.

NTSB stats show on average one tow pilot death each year- upsets on
tow with no chance of recovery.

I think the FAA data is way out of date and should have been revisited
long ago.
Good luck
Rod
  #6  
Old October 13th 03, 01:34 PM
W.J. \(Bill\) Dean \(U.K.\).
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Posts: n/a
Default

See also the article on upset accidents, causes and avoidance at
http://www.glidingmagazine.com/ListF...Dtl.asp?id=327 ,
by Chris Rollings.

Note also that the BGA has a modification to the Schweizer hook, approved
by the U.K. C.A.A., to incorporate a roller bearing in the hook to make
release under heavy load much easier.

W.J. (Bill) Dean (U.K.).
Remove "ic" to reply.


"Rod Pool" wrote in message
m...

Stuart

Before using a Schweizer tow rig give serious consideration to the
info on this website

http://home.att.net/~jdburch/index.htm

I too would recommend a tost tow rig only. Far safer for both the tow
pilot and glider.

NTSB stats show on average one tow pilot death each year- upsets on
tow with no chance of recovery.

I think the FAA data is way out of date and should have been revisited
long ago.

Good luck
Rod









  #7  
Old October 14th 03, 05:59 AM
Pete Brown
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default



W.J. (Bill) Dean (U.K.). wrote:
See also the article on upset accidents, causes and avoidance at
http://www.glidingmagazine.com/ListF...Dtl.asp?id=327 ,
by Chris Rollings.

Note also that the BGA has a modification to the Schweizer hook, approved
by the U.K. C.A.A., to incorporate a roller bearing in the hook to make
release under heavy load much easier.

W.J. (Bill) Dean (U.K.).
Remove "ic" to reply.


"Rod Pool" wrote in message
. com...

Stuart

Before using a Schweizer tow rig give serious consideration to the
info on this website

http://home.att.net/~jdburch/index.htm

I too would recommend a tost tow rig only. Far safer for both the tow
pilot and glider.

NTSB stats show on average one tow pilot death each year- upsets on
tow with no chance of recovery.

I think the FAA data is way out of date and should have been revisited
long ago.

Good luck
Rod











--

Peter D. Brown
http://home.gci.net/~pdb/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/akmtnsoaring/



  #8  
Old October 16th 03, 12:47 AM
Stuart Grant
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

The SSA was kind enough to mail me nice copies of STC's issued to Javelin
Aircraft Company for tow hook installation on Cessna 180, 185 & 321
Aircraft (STC SA271CE) and for Cessna 120, 140, 170 & 305 Aircraft (STC
SA268CE). The STC's include many variants of the models listed. Both STC's
reference Cessna Report No. S-000-134 (Page iii) Revision B dated 5/3/62
- which is probably the Cessna Engineering Analysis.

Gasser Banner says they have not manufactured brackets and hooks for the
Cessna 180 under their STC for many, many years but will sell the
documents needed for fabrication for $75 - which is a modest cost
considering the hassle. I may purchase just to see how it compares with
the Javelin method.

I have gotten lots of e-mail recommending using a TOST hook or inverted
installation of the Schweizer hook. I have e-mailed TOST hoping to get
information on their E85 release - mainly so I can figure out how to mount
it on the 180 tailwheel (not a leaf spring) and rig a release. I am still
assembling material for review by my A&P/IA so I don't buy anything I
won't actually be able to get approved. None of the experts liked the idea
of pulling the rope for release and pointed out that the FAA Advisory
Circular recommends a lever with a 5:1 mechanical advantage.

Rod's link below shows 337-approved inverted installation of Schweizer
hook on a Pawnee leaf spring tailwheel.

Thanks for all the comments. I will post what I find out from TOST.

Stuart

Rod Pool wrote:

Stuart

Before useing a Schweizer tow rig give serious consideration to the
info on this website

http://home.att.net/~jdburch/index.htm

I too would reccommend a tost tow rig only. Far safer for both the tow
pilot and glider.

NTSB stats show on average one tow pilot death each year- upsets on
tow with no chance of recovery.

I think the FAA data is way out of date and should have been revisited
long ago.
Good luck
Rod


  #9  
Old January 7th 17, 11:45 AM posted to rec.aviation.soaring
[email protected]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 1
Default Tow Hook on Cessna 180 - Update

Hello Stuart,

Thank you for all the information. I am planning to install tow hook on our C180 in India. I badly need STC for installing hook otherwise local regulatory authority will not spar me. Please advise,How can get SSA copies of STC's issued to Javelin Aircraft Company for tow hook installation on Cessna 180.

regards
Ahmed


 




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