Towing gliders

[blue_ridge]

A friend owns a Taylorcraft with a C-85 (regular, not Don's) in Florida. Does anyone have experience using a Taylorcraft as a glider towplane?

A Schweizer 1-26 seems do-able.

Could a higher performing glider be towed by a Taylorcraft? 1-34, Cirrus Standard, or other?

[3Dreaming]

I would say that it would be marginal. The Taylorcraft would be better suited for some vintage gliders like a Schweizer 1-19, Midwest, K8, and maybe up to a Libelle 201. Climb rate is not going to be great, and oil temperature might be an issue. The higher the weight, the longer the ground run. On tow the clean glass ships won't have much drag. The problem is that many of the higher performance ship need some speed for control effectiveness, and the Taylorcraft will not accelerate through that range quickly enough. At least that is my opinion.

[Ragwing nut]

I can't imagine the tcraft having enough umph to pull a glider. I don't know that I have seen anyone around here pull with less than 150hp.

[3Dreaming]

I know a guy who towed a L-Spatz 55 with a 65 Continental powered Pietenpol. The biggest issue is getting things moving. I also know someone who has towed with a 90HP Super Cub. Once the glider is in the air there is not much drag.

[blue_ridge]

Thanks for your insights

[Robert Lees]

I recall Leisa Marie (spelling?) towing two gliders at once. Mind you, she had 180hp, fully inverted fuel & oil plus two smoke systems, all certified to Standard Category. Seen at Barber Field in the early 2000s.

Rob

[3Dreaming]

I recall Leisa Marie (spelling?) towing two gliders at once. Mind you, she had 180hp, fully inverted fuel & oil plus two smoke systems, all certified to Standard Category. Seen at Barber Field in the early 2000s.

Rob

I remember hearing that it was used to tow Manfred Radius up at some airshows. A 180 horse clip wing certainly would be sufficient for towing a glider.