Scale Soaring UK

Am ready to go towing with a new Asw 27. I just need to know what to make/have ready to put between the tow line and the glider. Not even sure what you call that bit. Does it have swivels, quick release to put on the tow line etc. Any help or even pictures gratefully received. Will be towing at about 12 to 13 Kgs.

J

Assuming you mean the ‘tow loop’, if you have. Conventional release on the glider that puts a pin through the tow loop. Typically made out of fishing trace or closed loop wire, appropriate to the weight of the model (breaking strain at least 3x the weight of the model to allow for snatching. You can put a swivel on, but most towlines will already have a swivel (at events), and ideally put your name on or use a catchy coloured tag so you can recognise your loop in the bucket of loops at events. Here are some examples of mine (not all following my rules!):

Simon

Thank you for your reply and pictures.

Getting the idea now. Do you still uses a piece of tubing and crimping make the loops?

J

Yes, just double crimped. Not worth putting too much effort into them as they will get lost (or pinched!). Make half a dozen and they will last a while.

Simon

(or pinched!) I could swear that top one is mine...!

chris williams wrote: ↑26 Nov 2020, 00:26 (or pinched!) I could swear that top one is mine...!

Sorry Chris, your 10th in line behind all the other PMs i got to claim that one

Simon

I would never consider it to have been a good aerotow meeting if I had gone home with all the loops I went with............

I never, ever, make mine; I pinch them!

terry white wrote: ↑26 Nov 2020, 11:46 I never, ever, make mine; I pinch them!

Yes, we have noticed.......



BC

The most important rule is, make sure you have spares

Guys you have been most generous with your comments. I really have got it’s sorted now. It’s like this. Build glider. Travel to aero-tow meet. Don’t take any loops with you. Have a great days flying and go home with everybody else’s loops. Great success.

Looking forward to next year.

Jonathan

This boy will go far..............

The other consideration is the servo for the release. Never use a standard one. I would say at least 10kg pull servo and not a slow one. When you've caught a wing tip and flipped over and are being dragged along the grass upside down by the tug, you need your release to be quick and positive to get out of that one......just saying

I can vouch for Ray's comments above.
Had a powerful servo on the release, but it was a retract servo and very slow.
Was just looking at the DG 600 wreckage in the loft the other day and wondering if repairs were worth the time and effort.

John M

Yes, a retract servo is a bit on the slow side, but the longest time by far is pilot reaction, and operating the switch...



BC

If you’re lucky enough to be towed by Ray he will already have flicked the release switch on the tug before most glider pilots have even realised they are in trouble! He has superhuman tug (and other piloting skills), and is also pretty handy with a barbecue... Hopefully we can get him out of prolonged hibernation next season

Simon