Giant glider tow
09-30-2009, 06:50 AM
#1
Thread Starter
Giant glider tow
A few guys in my club want to get into giant gliders. I used to fly a 4 meter glider thirty years ago and we towed it with a rigged Transal that had two .60 glow engines as power plants. It worked but was not sufficient power as a tug. We want to tow gliders with 4-6 meters wingspan. What size tugs would you suggest? I am planning to scratch build a tug with a wingspan of min. 110" and a DLE55 up front. I hope that would be enough power. What do you guys think?
09-30-2009, 08:40 AM
#2
Senior Member
RE: Giant glider tow
Is your design a normal size and weight for a DLE55? If it is, consider making it a bit smaller and lighter or using a somewhat larger engine.
After all, the idea is to have more than sufficient power. Excess power is how you insure it's a good tow plane.
After all, the idea is to have more than sufficient power. Excess power is how you insure it's a good tow plane.
09-30-2009, 09:12 AM
#3
RE: Giant glider tow
The tug should be 96" in span and have a powerplant no smaller than an 80cc. We will be building a 3.2 meter Pilatus PC6 http://icare-rc.com/pilatusporter32.htm with at least a DA150 up front. we want it to be able to tow sailplanes in excess of 30lbs. Theres no such thing as too big/powerful!
09-30-2009, 09:15 AM
#4
Thread Starter
RE: Giant glider tow
My idea was to have a tug that has around 50% wingspan of the glider. If I build a tug that is also light (approx. 20lbs) with a fairly low wing loading we should have a decent tow plane with this DLE-55.
09-30-2009, 12:03 PM
#5
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RE: Giant glider tow
I have a 120" Pilatus, with a Zenoha 62. Although a good platform for flying around, but under powered for more than 4M tug work. Next week we are going to try a 4M glider in the 12lb range. And I'm not overly confident. Big gliders need to go fast when being towed. This works great for 3M gliders. But I might as well use my 109inch Cub with a Saito 182 twin. A 10 yr old Tug.
If you are pulling such big gliders, power up.
-Snuts-
If you are pulling such big gliders, power up.
-Snuts-
09-30-2009, 05:32 PM
#6
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RE: Giant glider tow
I am towing with a Sr. Telemaster. Mine is electrified, weighs 15lbs. I have towed 18lbs gliders with that one. You may also use gas power with the Sr. TM, of course. Some glider buddies of mine have built the AMR Trainer 50 (from a kit), we just towed gliders up to 41lbs. on electric power - see video below:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XqIirv-w9Qs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=42hHJbM2CCA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8cyt4rmneg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XqIirv-w9Qs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=42hHJbM2CCA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8cyt4rmneg
