Planes > Sports

BigLift I - Rebuild

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Fred:
Tow plane is back on track !
Yesterday evening, started the re-covering of the beast.
Will be all bright yellow for better visibility  :D
Slowly but surely, I hope to have it ready for Retroplane along with the electric one.

DennisZ:
Hi Fred,

how much power tow plane is expected to have ?

also what mods have to be made to convert "ordinary" plane to a tug ?

I'm thinking maybe my electric monster can be used for that ?

http://www.leinster-model-flyer.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/dscf4146.jpg

80" wingspan

Dennis

Fred:
Hi Dennis,

In general, well, that depend of what you have to tow !
The BigLift will go with a 26cc first, and if there is some interrest, I will certainly upgrade to a 50cc to go with bigger gliders.

The first thing you need, is a stable platform (the BigLift is born as a tow plane...) and power (tork). After that, everything else is in the way you fly the tow plane... Tow pilot is a R/C category on its own.

Then, of course, you need a release hook, as near as possible of the CG (we usually put it at the wing TE). Tow hook must be remotely controlled for the release.

I guess any planes can be converted as a tow plane, as 50% of the towing success are from the pilots, the rest, is the machine in my opinion.

DennisZ:

--- Quote from: "Fred" ---
Then, of course, you need a release hook, as near as possible of the CG (we usually put it at the wing TE). Tow hook must be remotely controlled for the release.

--- End quote ---

Thanks Fred.
my plane certainly is nowhere near 50cc.

about tow hook: does it mean after glider has released its end, tug drops another ?

Fred:
No worries, any power will do. That will only limit the weight of the glider you can tow !
My electric one will be for gliders up to 2 kg for example...

For the tow hook, no (well, not necesarely. I know some tow plane pilots who release the line before landing on a low pass...) but that is more an essential safety feature.
If the glider have a problem, the tow plane can always release. You save the plane...

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