"Mark James Boyd" wrote in message
news:41521d6c$1@darkstar...
Robert Ehrlich wrote:
Mark James Boyd wrote:
...
Stay away from wood. There's a reason it is uncommon
in current aircraft manufacturing.
...

Maybe uncommon in the USA, in France the most common 4 seats
airplane is probably the Robin DR400 which is, at least for the
wings, made of wood and fabric. Also widely used as a tow plane.

Oh, and keep in mind that this is just my opinion. I'm sure
there are lots of happy wood plane owners who love the things.
To each his own...

The wing's the thing. The Robin DR400 has an interesting planform and
effective flaps and good low speed performance for towing. All taper in the
wing begins at the dihedral break. I'm sure all following this thread have
checked out some images. If not, here are some.

http://www.airliners.net/search/phot...nct_entry=true

One of my former UK clubs used Rollason Condors, a wood-fabric two-seat
towplane. http://www.100megsfree2.com/coughtrey/g-avxw.htm We had 100hp
and a 130hp versions. We didn't use the 100hp for two-seater launches, at
least with two up, or without headwind.

Another low-wing tow plane (metal) with good vis is the Socata Rallye,
usually 180hp but with 235hp option. Heavier, but still good for short
runways. Rode in and launched behind one of these in Aboyne.
http://www.airliners.net/search/phot...nct_entry=true

All have the low wing advantage without struts, multiple seats for
checkouts, and very good viz.

Don't know if this still holds true, but the UK also had a couple of other
reasonable (to me) rules. A pilot could become a tow pilot (in a club)
after 50 hours of PIC in power. A glider pilot couldn't carry PAX until 50
hours PIC in gliders.

Frank Whiteley