Hi all, We're actually doing a project on that very subject right now for LiftZone.com, execpt the goal is to tow 4 and 5m sailplanes (look for the article in the coming months).
Phase one has been to use a Senior Telemaster with a big Aveox drive system on 30 cells, and that has more than enough power to tow my friend's 4.2m ASK-21 off of long grass. The problem that we've been having so far is putting 2.5 horsepower through a belt without it delaminating, though even that problem should be solved quickly. Check out the following links for videos, or see the Scale Sailplanes forum on RCGroups.com Here's an email I sent to our club list. We tried again this weekend, only to have the belt blow up...damaging the tug in the ensuing off-field forced landing. Joy! Now it's my turn to spend the week repairing... "Had our first successful tow with the tug/sailplane combo, and one that went horribly wrong. Just as a reminder, the tug is a Hobby Lobby Senior Telemaster (about 10.5-11 lbs), and the sailplane is a Rodellmodel ASK-21 (4.2m, 12lbs?). The first one was fine, with the combo coming off after a 100ft rollout or so. This actually works very well! The climbout was strong, but it was hard to keep the tug from climbing too strongly and slowing the sailplane down too much. We got to about 300 ft when the sailplane released, because I ran out of down elevator on the tug (needs some trim work). Video here: http://www.soarcalgary.com/Multimedia/Tow1 The second tow didn't go so well. After retrimming the tug a bit, it started off well. Video here: http://www.soarcalgary.com/Multimedia/Tow2 After the first leg however, the tug and sailplane got a little uncoordinated and ended up putting a bunch of slack in the line. As the slack came out, the tug got yanked almost to a standstill, but the sailplane got thrown in a violent flat spin. Since we were only about 150 feet up, the sailplane wasn't able to recover completely in time to avoid damage. The wingrod was rather severly bent (1" steel tube!), and the tail needs some 'glasswork patching. The tug landed without incident. The ugly: http://www.soarcalgary.com/Multimedia/BadTow That was it for the day, obviously, but we'll be out again next weekend if weather and repairs permit." Cheers, Adam > Date: Mon, 22 Sep 2003 13:57:34 EDT > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Subject: Re: [RCSE] Electric tow plane > > Is it possible to tow 3 meter scale gliders into the air by electric > > powered planes ? What kind of motors will be required ? > > > I have been pondering on the same subject, except I want to tow larger > gliders also. RCSE-List facilities provided by Model Airplane News. Send "subscribe" and "unsubscribe" requests to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Please note that subscribe and unsubscribe messages must be sent in text only format with MIME turned off.
