Aerotow-West - Page 3

s2000 · Oct 12, 2009, 09:08 PM

Just a reminder that the towing at Visalia should start a little after 10am this Friday, the weather looks clear and about 80 degrees max. See you all there!

TRISME · Oct 12, 2009, 10:31 PM

Hi Mad Cap,
I think we are using about 75' of 3/16" line in high visability pink or green, purchased from Home Depot. we put a 3/32" nylon(I think,... it's white.) weak link at the tow plane release end. About 12" from the glider of the line, we put a "Shuttlecock"(got to use the proper name, and we just like to say Shuttlecock.) secured between two knots. At the end of the line is a fishing line swivel and another smaller weak link 1/16" braided nylon (about the same size of kite string). The weak links go into the tow releases easier, we rarely break one. We tow mostly 4M planes, also a 5M Ventus and a 6M DG600 with the same line.
That's our rig, it works for us. I'm sure there are many ways to skin a cat. We stow our line on an electrical cord reel also purchased from the "Homey".
Tom

davidjensen · Oct 12, 2009, 10:45 PM

We use 110' of string with swivals on both ends and a red flag sewn or affixed to the string about 4' in front of the nose of the glider. The flag is about 6" by 14" and is quite visable at altitude and makes the release of the string quite easy to see.

GNX430 · Oct 12, 2009, 10:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by s2000

Just a reminder that the towing at Visalia should start a little after 10am this Friday, the weather looks clear and about 80 degrees max. See you all there!

Will have 2 planes to maiden this time, 6 meter Ventus 2c just finished programing the radio and I NEED A DRINK now! And a 4 meter ASW27 i bought from Dieter from SOCAL? Bringing my old 6 meter Nimbus and a good friend who has never flown and wants to learn to be a tow pilot

Bringing a electric 40 size arf to learn to fly power for the evening flying. John i need a test flight ?
Does anyone know what night were doing a group dinner?
Jerry

rocketman47 · Oct 12, 2009, 11:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by s2000

Just a reminder that the towing at Visalia should start a little after 10am this Friday, the weather looks clear and about 80 degrees max. See you all there!

About the only way I'm gonna be able to make it..

Google Earth

Spring for sure!

s2000 · Oct 12, 2009, 11:39 PM

Using that Google earth shot, the aerotow area is the large green patch in the lower section, the winches are set up on the sandy diagonal area which can also be used for flying electrics, the landing area for T.D. models is the smaller green patch. When we are not aerotowing (early morning, lunch break, and evening) I like to break out the Parkzone (T-28, Corsair, etc.) foamies and have some fun.

rocketman47 · Oct 13, 2009, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TRISME

Hi Mad Cap,
I think we are using about 75' of 3/16" line

That diameter seems a little large!

I have never seen/used anything larger than about 3/32"..

Randy

rocketman47 · Oct 13, 2009, 01:49 PM

Rained out of work today..Damn!

Spent some time this AM getting my little PA18 ready for towing! Sorry for the crappy cell phone pics.. A new digital cam is on the way!

Now I have to build the Fox..

Randy

rocketman47 · Oct 14, 2009, 11:41 AM

Just bought a 3W 106 TOC version off RC Universe! http://www.rcuniverse.com/market/item.cfm?itemId=562899 Should be an excellent match for the Pilatus!

Randy

rocketman47 · Oct 15, 2009, 12:28 AM

Back to towing with the HZ Super Cub. Another productive day in the shop! Got the Fox about half done!

With any luck, we should be towing by the weekend!

Randy

rocketman47 · Oct 15, 2009, 01:49 PM

Almost ready for action!

birdofplay · Oct 15, 2009, 05:00 PM

I have an old "Jurassic" 2M FOX and have taken it to aerotows in the NW for 4 years.

I like to do ROLLs in Tow with it before release :-).

Bob
http://www.balsabuddies.com/

dgliderguy · Oct 15, 2009, 05:18 PM

"Jurassic" = Gerasis

You should see Bob do a high-speed low pass over the runway behind the tug, then follow the tug up a vertical line, doing aileron rolls the whole way up. Impressive! I had one of these little 2.2m Gerasis Fox gliders-- I only did one tow with mine (behind a quarter-scale Wilga!), the rest was all sloping, but what a fun toy.

davidjensen · Oct 16, 2009, 12:15 AM

I have a 3m 1/5th scale Garasis Fox but it will weigh about 130 oz when finished. Should be good for the slope.

rocketman47 · Oct 16, 2009, 12:22 AM

Luv dem "lead sleds"!

Oct 13, 2009, 01:49 PM	#38
rocketman47 These go to eleven Join Date: May 2002 Location: Central Point, OR. Posts: 1,622	Rained out of work today..Damn! Spent some time this AM getting my little PA18 ready for towing! Sorry for the crappy cell phone pics.. A new digital cam is on the way! Now I have to build the Fox.. Randy Attached Thumbnails As close to the T.E. as I could get it(big oger fingers) 41.7 KB · Views: 56 A fin guard to keep the line from putting the SC into a "death spiral"! 47.6 KB · Views: 50 OMG! A monsterous task! 71.5 KB · Views: 54 Last edited by rocketman47; Oct 13, 2009 at 07:49 PM.

Oct 14, 2009, 11:41 AM	#39
rocketman47 These go to eleven Join Date: May 2002 Location: Central Point, OR. Posts: 1,622	Our Porter has power! Just bought a 3W 106 TOC version off RC Universe! http://www.rcuniverse.com/market/item.cfm?itemId=562899 Should be an excellent match for the Pilatus! Randy

Oct 15, 2009, 12:28 AM	#40
rocketman47 These go to eleven Join Date: May 2002 Location: Central Point, OR. Posts: 1,622	Back to towing with the HZ Super Cub. Another productive day in the shop! Got the Fox about half done! With any luck, we should be towing by the weekend! Randy Attached Thumbnails A quick "Earl Scheib" paint job.. 77.5 KB · Views: 43 54.0 KB · Views: 35

Oct 15, 2009, 01:49 PM	#41
rocketman47 These go to eleven Join Date: May 2002 Location: Central Point, OR. Posts: 1,622	Almost ready for action! Attached Thumbnails 76.9 KB · Views: 39

Oct 16, 2009, 12:15 AM	#44
davidjensen Will fly for food Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Bellevue WA Posts: 3,031	I have a 3m 1/5th scale Garasis Fox but it will weigh about 130 oz when finished. Should be good for the slope. Last edited by davidjensen; Oct 16, 2009 at 12:21 AM.

Oct 12, 2009, 09:08 PM	#31
s2000 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: so. cal. Posts: 1,029	Just a reminder that the towing at Visalia should start a little after 10am this Friday, the weather looks clear and about 80 degrees max. See you all there!

Oct 12, 2009, 10:31 PM	#32
TRISME It's not too windy. Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Aliso Viejo,CA Posts: 458	Hi Mad Cap, I think we are using about 75' of 3/16" line in high visability pink or green, purchased from Home Depot. we put a 3/32" nylon(I think,... it's white.) weak link at the tow plane release end. About 12" from the glider of the line, we put a "Shuttlecock"(got to use the proper name, and we just like to say Shuttlecock.) secured between two knots. At the end of the line is a fishing line swivel and another smaller weak link 1/16" braided nylon (about the same size of kite string). The weak links go into the tow releases easier, we rarely break one. We tow mostly 4M planes, also a 5M Ventus and a 6M DG600 with the same line. That's our rig, it works for us. I'm sure there are many ways to skin a cat. We stow our line on an electrical cord reel also purchased from the "Homey". Tom

Oct 12, 2009, 10:45 PM	#33
davidjensen Will fly for food Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Bellevue WA Posts: 3,031	We use 110' of string with swivals on both ends and a red flag sewn or affixed to the string about 4' in front of the nose of the glider. The flag is about 6" by 14" and is quite visable at altitude and makes the release of the string quite easy to see.

Oct 12, 2009, 11:39 PM	#36
s2000 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: so. cal. Posts: 1,029	Using that Google earth shot, the aerotow area is the large green patch in the lower section, the winches are set up on the sandy diagonal area which can also be used for flying electrics, the landing area for T.D. models is the smaller green patch. When we are not aerotowing (early morning, lunch break, and evening) I like to break out the Parkzone (T-28, Corsair, etc.) foamies and have some fun.

Oct 15, 2009, 05:00 PM	#42
birdofplay RC since 1968 Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Cathlamet WA Posts: 3,271	I have an old "Jurassic" 2M FOX and have taken it to aerotows in the NW for 4 years. I like to do ROLLs in Tow with it before release :-). Bob http://www.balsabuddies.com/

Oct 15, 2009, 05:18 PM	#43
dgliderguy Where's the lift? Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Snohomish WA USA Posts: 1,729	"Jurassic" = Gerasis You should see Bob do a high-speed low pass over the runway behind the tug, then follow the tug up a vertical line, doing aileron rolls the whole way up. Impressive! I had one of these little 2.2m Gerasis Fox gliders-- I only did one tow with mine (behind a quarter-scale Wilga!), the rest was all sloping, but what a fun toy.

Oct 16, 2009, 12:22 AM	#45
rocketman47 These go to eleven Join Date: May 2002 Location: Central Point, OR. Posts: 1,622	Luv dem "lead sleds"!