Hi everyone,
I want to know all about aerotow. Here are few specific questions about it: (other inputs also welcome!)

1) Do I need a little fast plane as the tug or even a giant cub can do it?

2) Is it necessary to have ailerons on the gilder?

3) How long should the line between the airplanes be?

4) how is the release mechanism?

thanks,

Mayur

1st question, what you towing?
our experiance is with fun flys and EPP combats.
line about 4M with an elastic band in the middle to take the tugs. you put a 160 degree bent hook on the nose, on TOP of the glider and the other end under the fun fly on the CofG ( guide tube on the tail helps, we used a film canaster with the bottom removed.
you take off, the glider pilot keeps down in to stay below the plane, when you want to release, the plane slows, and the glider dives away.
easy.
anything more than that....... i donts knows
Cubs are good + POWER

Mayur:

If you want to crash big and fast then use the little fast plane.
A larger trainer with a bigger engine would work better. Unless
you've mastered the Cub, I would recommend a 60 size trainer
if glider is in the 2M class.
It is correct that the tow hook-up is at or 1" behind cg. , but it
should be on top. As the glider lifts off it will be slightly higher than the tow plane. The glider pilot should be experienced with
gliders or he'll bring both of you down. He/she has to follow right
behind you without weaving back-n-forth,or worse, rapid up and
down. Glider accessories offer a release tow hook which uses a
separate servo or is hooked to the elevator servo. When the elevator is full up, then the hook releases the line. A rudder only
glider will work fine. Depending on the size of each plane, sets the
line length; 50 foot would be a good starting point for a 2M plane.
Too short and the rapid movement of the glider, will affect the tow
plane. When you pull a 3M or open class glider, the length is then
closer to 75/100 feet. For the jumbo gliders, an expert at one of
my clubs uses a 1/4 scale super Cub with a G-38. NEVER hook the
tow line to the planes tail wheel.
Good Luck
Randy

Mayur, check out

http://web.ukonline.co.uk/sssrcsoaring/

An excellent resource on all things scale sailplane orientated. Although primarily devoted to scale sailplanes there is a great discussion group and lots of advice on towing/tow planes.

RoT (rule of thumb) big gliders, big tugs, long lines. Always put a release on both planes.

Have fun

Clive

thanks guys,
will give it a try and let u know!

Isn't this effectively the same as connecting directly to the tail?

umm only if it's touching the sides, but thats better than touching and removing the tail.. on flyflys towing combat gliders it dosn't seem to make much difference to them