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#1
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Tow plane ideas
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! |
#2
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Tow plane ideas
I did a few tows using a Maule back in the 80s and I didn't like it.Â*
Flying with a stick is much easier for towing and the visibility out of the Maule did not compare to that from a Pawnee. I've also towed with an L-19 and they're great but expensive to acquire, 180-hp Super cub and Citabria which were both great, a CalAir A-9B which tows quite well but it's physically demanding to fly due to the location of the stick and the fowler flaps are very difficult to deploy but it's the easiest landing tail dragger I've ever flown.Â* I've also towed with a 235-hp Pawnee which is very easy to fly and gets gliders into the air quickly.Â* Finally I would highly recommend a Cessna Ag Wagon.Â* It's the roomiest and most comfortable of all of the above, flies naturally and easily, and is easy to land, but with 300-hp it's the hungriest of all the rest. Dan 5J On 5/26/21 12:37 PM, jackson maddux 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! |
#3
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Tow plane ideas
On Wednesday, May 26, 2021 at 2:37:37 PM UTC-4, 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! Before you get rid of that 160 Super Cub, have you tried a bigger “bush” prop on the Super Cub? We used a 82” Bohrer prop with very good results. It performed like it had 180 Hp, but without the 6 cylinder maintenance. For the required prop to ground clearance, mid sized balloon tires are required though. Our club operates a 235 Hp Pawnee as well, and when our membership shrank to where we couldn’t justify having two tow planes anymore, we sold the Cub to an Alaskan bush pilot. It just so happens though, that we have unearthed a “new in box” 82/41 McCauley (their version of the Bohrer) prop in the rafters of our hangar this past week. I believe the club will be looking to sell it sometime soon. People are trying to see if they can find the paperwork to accompany the prop right now. If new tires and a new prop can get you what you need without having to find a PA-25, you may be better off financially to try it. If you don’t like it, some guy from Alaska will probably fly down to take the upgraded Cub off your hands. Mike Opitz RO www.NutmegSoaring.org (Freehold, NY) |
#4
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Tow plane ideas
On Wednesday, May 26, 2021 at 2:37:37 PM UTC-4, 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! Don't know much about unusual towplanes, they are all just workhorses. I have had three Pawnee's and flown many more towplanes , currently have what we call Towpecker, a 235 that is actually about 270, and it pulls very well. The Pawnee is the go to towplane, but there are others that do quiet well like the old straight tail 182. I like the way the 188 flies a bit better that the Pawnee, also flew a 400 hp Brave that did very well. Everybody wants a Pawnee, for obvious reasons, finding a towplane these days is not the problem, finding a tow pilot is another story. The Wilga makes a good towplane, but operational cost are high, also there are a few ugly looking French towplanes around, just cannot remember their names. Recently ran across a good old Air Tractor, but once again the operational cost are high. You must look at operational cost vs performance, You might be better off going to 180 hp in that Super Cub, we did that back in the day in Miami and it worked very well. The Purist, Old Bob |
#5
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Tow plane ideas
On Wednesday, May 26, 2021 at 3:56:29 PM UTC-6, wrote:
On Wednesday, May 26, 2021 at 2:37:37 PM UTC-4, 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! Don't know much about unusual towplanes, they are all just workhorses. I have had three Pawnee's and flown many more towplanes , currently have what we call Towpecker, a 235 that is actually about 270, and it pulls very well. The Pawnee is the go to towplane, but there are others that do quiet well like the old straight tail 182. I like the way the 188 flies a bit better that the Pawnee, also flew a 400 hp Brave that did very well. Everybody wants a Pawnee, for obvious reasons, finding a towplane these days is not the problem, finding a tow pilot is another story. The Wilga makes a good towplane, but operational cost are high, also there are a few ugly looking French towplanes around, just cannot remember their names. Recently ran across a good old Air Tractor, but once again the operational cost are high. You must look at operational cost vs performance, You might be better off going to 180 hp in that Super Cub, we did that back in the day in Miami and it worked very well. The Purist, Old Bob What about looking at a C 180/182, particularly with the 180HP motor? Those should work adequately for most applications. |
#6
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Tow plane ideas
8GCBC Scout
Aviat Husky |
#7
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Tow plane ideas
On Thursday, May 27, 2021 at 2:43:28 PM UTC-4, wrote:
On Wednesday, May 26, 2021 at 3:56:29 PM UTC-6, wrote: On Wednesday, May 26, 2021 at 2:37:37 PM UTC-4, 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! Don't know much about unusual towplanes, they are all just workhorses. I have had three Pawnee's and flown many more towplanes , currently have what we call Towpecker, a 235 that is actually about 270, and it pulls very well. The Pawnee is the go to towplane, but there are others that do quiet well like the old straight tail 182. I like the way the 188 flies a bit better that the Pawnee, also flew a 400 hp Brave that did very well. Everybody wants a Pawnee, for obvious reasons, finding a towplane these days is not the problem, finding a tow pilot is another story. The Wilga makes a good towplane, but operational cost are high, also there are a few ugly looking French towplanes around, just cannot remember their names. Recently ran across a good old Air Tractor, but once again the operational cost are high. You must look at operational cost vs performance, You might be better off going to 180 hp in that Super Cub, we did that back in the day in Miami and it worked very well. The Purist, Old Bob What about looking at a C 180/182, particularly with the 180HP motor? Those should work adequately for most applications. Underpowered |
#8
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Tow plane ideas
One club decided on a 182 over a Pawnee. Parts availability was a major factor. Also easier to do check outs.
Considerable cylinder work and cooling issues ensued. Changed to a Pawnee. |
#9
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Tow plane ideas
The C-180 has 230 hp.
Dan 5J On 5/27/21 4:09 PM, wrote: On Thursday, May 27, 2021 at 2:43:28 PM UTC-4, wrote: On Wednesday, May 26, 2021 at 3:56:29 PM UTC-6, wrote: On Wednesday, May 26, 2021 at 2:37:37 PM UTC-4, 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! Don't know much about unusual towplanes, they are all just workhorses. I have had three Pawnee's and flown many more towplanes , currently have what we call Towpecker, a 235 that is actually about 270, and it pulls very well. The Pawnee is the go to towplane, but there are others that do quiet well like the old straight tail 182. I like the way the 188 flies a bit better that the Pawnee, also flew a 400 hp Brave that did very well. Everybody wants a Pawnee, for obvious reasons, finding a towplane these days is not the problem, finding a tow pilot is another story. The Wilga makes a good towplane, but operational cost are high, also there are a few ugly looking French towplanes around, just cannot remember their names. Recently ran across a good old Air Tractor, but once again the operational cost are high. You must look at operational cost vs performance, You might be better off going to 180 hp in that Super Cub, we did that back in the day in Miami and it worked very well. The Purist, Old Bob What about looking at a C 180/182, particularly with the 180HP motor? Those should work adequately for most applications. Underpowered |
#10
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Tow plane ideas
On Friday, May 28, 2021 at 12:42:37 PM UTC-7, Dan Marotta wrote:
The C-180 has 230 hp. Dan 5J On 5/27/21 4:09 PM, wrote: On Thursday, May 27, 2021 at 2:43:28 PM UTC-4, wrote: On Wednesday, May 26, 2021 at 3:56:29 PM UTC-6, wrote: On Wednesday, May 26, 2021 at 2:37:37 PM UTC-4, 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! Don't know much about unusual towplanes, they are all just workhorses.. I have had three Pawnee's and flown many more towplanes , currently have what we call Towpecker, a 235 that is actually about 270, and it pulls very well. The Pawnee is the go to towplane, but there are others that do quiet well like the old straight tail 182. I like the way the 188 flies a bit better that the Pawnee, also flew a 400 hp Brave that did very well. Everybody wants a Pawnee, for obvious reasons, finding a towplane these days is not the problem, finding a tow pilot is another story. The Wilga makes a good towplane, but operational cost are high, also there are a few ugly looking French towplanes around, just cannot remember their names. Recently ran across a good old Air Tractor, but once again the operational cost are high. You must look at operational cost vs performance, You might be better off going to 180 hp in that Super Cub, we did that back in the day in Miami and it worked very well. The Purist, Old Bob What about looking at a C 180/182, particularly with the 180HP motor? Those should work adequately for most applications. Underpowered I don't think the RV-6 is viable, legally speaking (experimental cert). But I'm just reading from google searches, and could be wrong. Too bad, I think a bare bones Zenith or similar STOL kit might make a good economical tow plane. Given the expense and dwindling availability of tow planes, has SSA considered lobbying to change CFR 91.319 to allow towing of any (not just LSA) sailplane? |
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