Glider Towing Quad

[Byrdseyeview]

What happens when you are alone and don't have anyone to tow your glider up for you? Do it yourself with a quad? Here's my thoughts.

Attach a tow release to the tail of the glider and another one to a quad that has RTH Failsafe.
Prep the glider for flight.
Use the quad to lift the glider to 400ft.
Using the Glider TX release the tow cable then put the quad in RTH Failsafe and put it's TX down.
Fly the glider as the quad returns to home and lands itself.

Possible?

 

[Craftydan]

It's been tried. The results were . . . entertaining:

 

[SteevyT]

It's been tried. The results were . . . entertaining:

All they needed was to either hardmount the glider to the copter, or a longer lead.

 

[Byrdseyeview]

I think towing it by the tail would help as well. The wings won't produce as much lift backwards.

 

[Byrdseyeview]

I did it.

DJI Phantom 2 Vision towing an FT Versa with no motor or ESC.

 

[Byrdseyeview]

This was done by myself. When I got up high enough I released the tow cable and put the vision in return to home mode then put the controller down and started to fly the versa. That's why it appears to freefall for a few seconds.

 

[xuzme720]

And now for a record 7th week in the top spot, a PSA from Glove and Boots!!! Enjoy!

 

[xuzme720]

This was done by myself. When I got up high enough I released the tow cable and put the vision in return to home mode then put the controller down and started to fly the versa. That's why it appears to freefall for a few seconds.

Nicely done and congrats on doing it alone...not the easiest way to do it for sure..

 

[Byrdseyeview]

Yes I know its vertical. I was flying the quad and the versa. Third hand was mia today. My wife shot the video for me and no matter how many times I tell her she refuses to turn her phone over.

 

[xuzme720]

Yes I know its vertical. I was flying the quad and the versa. Third hand was mia today. My wife shot the video for me and no matter how many times I tell her she refuses to turn her phone over.

It's sort of a running joke and only meant as humor. Kind of how we operate around here so please don't take any offense. We are very helpful and friendly but we do joke around as well. No harm is meant however.

 

[xuzme720]

To prove that it's all in fun...another short! I side with the mustachioed Gorilla on this subject.

 

[Byrdseyeview]

I took it as a joke, my third hand being mia was my lame attempt at humor.

 

[xuzme720]

No worries. I was only making sure you knew even though your joke told me you did. Any more flights lately?

 

[Byrdseyeview]

The versa is my first FT build. I'm new to fixed wing, started with the apprentice S then Versa. The motor I ordered was bad and I couldn't wait to fly it thus this video. I have since bought a motor and ESC from hobbytown and have been flying the versa. I wasn't sure how it was going to go not having the "oh crap" switch like the apprentice but so far no crashes. Only one case of "forgot I parked the van there".

Now I have built the FT 22 but still haven't moved the motor over to it. I was thinking of towing it up with the quad first.