Ft Storch towing problem

[To_many_planes]

Hiya, it’s my first problem/post here with Flitetest. I have a Storch and Simple Soarer. I want to tow the Simple Soarer but I don’t know how to attach the towing line to the Storch. I was thinking a balsa skewer, where do I insert it though?

 

[Merv]

...where do I insert it though?

In the bottom near the tail. If it is a tail dragger, just use the skid or tail wheel.

 

[To_many_planes]

In the bottom near the tail. If it is a tail dragger, just use the skid or tail wheel.

Won’t that affect the cg of the plane?

 

[Merv]

No, I don't think it will change CG much, not if you use something light weight. Like a fishing line.
It will increase the drag more than change CG.

 

[Piotrsko]

it just makes the storch very resistant to turning because you have this drag force back there. There is a very wee cg shift from the towline, but except for trying loops, won't matter.

Thinking more: if the plane being towed wont turn to follow, neither will the towplane. You can really mess with the tow pilot this way. I have both scale and full sized.

 

[To_many_planes]

it just makes the storch very resistant to turning because you have this drag force back there. There is a very wee cg shift from the towline, but except for trying loops, won't matter.

Thinking more: if the plane being towed wont turn to follow, neither will the towplane. You can really mess with the tow pilot this way. I have both scale and full sized.

So somebody has to be controlling the glider as well as the plane?

 

[quorneng]

Just like a full size aerotow each plane has to be controlled by a pilot and both have to know what they are doing or it it will end in tears.
The glider pilot has to follow the tug accurately and keep out of the tug prop wash.
The tug pilot has to manoeuvre carefully so the glider pilot can follow without risking pulling the tug beyond its capabilities.
Normally the glider pilot releases the rope. The tug can land with it still attached but in an emergency the tug can also release it.
Overall not quite as simple as it might appear.

 

[To_many_planes]

Just like a full size aerotow each plane has to be controlled by a pilot and both have to know what they are doing or it it will end in tears.
The glider pilot has to follow the tug accurately and keep out of the tug prop wash.
The tug pilot has to manoeuvre carefully so the glider pilot can follow without risking pulling the tug beyond its capabilities.
Normally the glider pilot releases the rope. The tug can land with it still attached but in an emergency the tug can also release it.
Overall not quite as simple as it might appear.

Is there any plane son Realflighht that let you simulate the tow plane?

 

[quorneng]

To actually tow anything Realflight would have to allow two independent controllers or have AI controlling either the tow plane or the glider and then have the effects of the tow rope on both planes programmed in. I doubt it has any of these abilities.

 

[To_many_planes]

To actually tow anything Realflight would have to allow two independent controllers or have AI controlling either the tow plane or the glider and then have the effects of the tow rope on both planes programmed in. I doubt it has any of these abilities.

What’s a good length for my tow rope

 

[Merv]

So somebody has to be controlling the glider as well as the plane?

Yes, you will need someone controlling the tow plane & someone else controlling the glider.
As quorneng said both need to be experienced pilots. This is not the place to be learning to fly.

What’s a good length for my tow rope

30 feet or so.

 

[To_many_planes]

Yes, you will need someone controlling the tow plane & someone else controlling the glider.


30 feet or so.

Ok

 

[To_many_planes]

Ok

Do

Ok

Just like a full size aerotow each plane has to be controlled by a pilot and both have to know what they are doing or it it will end in tears.
The glider pilot has to follow the tug accurately and keep out of the tug prop wash.
The tug pilot has to manoeuvre carefully so the glider pilot can follow without risking pulling the tug beyond its capabilities.
Normally the glider pilot releases the rope. The tug can land with it still attached but in an emergency the tug can also release it.
Overall not quite as simple as it might appear.

Do you think the Simple Cub would work as a tow plane to?

 

[To_many_planes]

Yes, you will need someone controlling the tow plane & someone else controlling the glider.
As quorneng said both need to be experienced pilots. This is not the place to be learning to fly.

30 feet or so.

Is there a way to make the tow fishing line removable? I though of making a slip knot and placing it around the skewers so it forms into a center line like the pic

 

[Merv]

Is there a way to make the tow fishing line removable?...

I think that should work. My only concern, could the line get tangled in the rudder or elevator?

 

[To_many_planes]

I think that should work. My only concern, could the line get tangled in the rudder or elevator?

I might use a coffee stirrer to make a small guide for it

 

[Merv]

A zip tie might also work

 

[To_many_planes]

A zip tie might also work

Do to you think the simple cub would work I stead of the storch?

 

[Merv]

Do to you think the simple cub would work I stead of the storch?

The airframe would work, providing it has enough power.

 

[quorneng]

I am pretty certain both a model tug plane and glider will have a servo controlled release mechanism. This ensures the line will not release accidentally but will release when required. Of course this feature means an extra radio channel is required in both planes.
The main requirement for a tug is that it has sufficient power to be able climb with the weight of the glider being towed and that it still can do this flying slow enough for the glider to keep control.
Nothing wrong with a suitably powered Super Cub as a glider tug.