On Friday, October 4, 2013 1:37:45 PM UTC-4, Soartech wrote:
In an ASW19, 20 or 27 it is common practice (even mentioned in the POH) to start an aero tow with partially deployed spoilers to help keep ailerons effective at low speeds. At around 30 knots put in spoilers and move flaps from 2 to 4. Works great. Sounds OK in theory. An engineer probably came up with the POH entry, but... Who has time to look at the airspeed, look at the runway, tow plane and keep it all straight plus close spoilers and change flaps at a certain speed? With our clubs 260 HP towplane it all happens fast! Ailerons seem to work fine in about 3 seconds.

I do it all the time and have for many years. When aileron control is solid, close and lock the spoilers, then move flaps to tow position. In the '28, I skip the flap step obviously. 19 and 20 have big ailerons that work pretty quickly. Not so with 27.
If things start to go wrong, release the spoiler handle and pull the release.
No need to look at airspeed.
Not everybody has an overpowered tug.
UH