On Sat, 21 Feb 2004 14:06:51 GMT, (d b) wrote:

Using this range, 850 to 2000 pounds on the tail of a towplane is not
out of reason. Another place in the installation design of tail
hooks calls for loads to stay within 30 degrees of backwards, as I
recall. I would try to keep the load as straight aft as possible.

That's the other factor of course. I've only seen tailhook installation on
taildraggers, but I doubt that, on trigear airplanes, they merely unscrew
the tiedown ring and screw in the hook release mechanism. There's probably
reinforcement that's added as well, which would make moot any comparison to
pulling the plane by the stock tiedown ring.

On taildraggers, the line releases are generally attached to the tailwheel
spring...which, of course, already has a heavy-duty attachment.
Homebuilders and antique owners use the same devices to secure planes
during handpropping. See:

http://www.bowersflybaby.com/tech/tailhook.html

Ron Wanttaja