Auto Tow Information

Mike:
We've been doing quite a lot of research on the subject as an
inexpensive alternative to aerotowing. Everything I have read
recommends using a pickup truck like a Ford F-150 or equivilent. One
of the best sites we've found to date is
http://www.danlj.org/~danlj/Soaring/GroundLaunch/ also get the book
"Ground Launches" by Derek Piggott. According to what I've read if all
goes right you can expect 70 to 80% of the tow rope length in altitude.
We will be using a 6000ft grass runway with a 2000ft rope. So we are
hoping to get at least a 1400' launch once we get it worked out. Where
are you located? If you would like to contact me direct I can be
reached at (remove both of the * to email) email
me for my phone number if you wish.

Larry Lively, Del Rio, Texas

On the topic of tow vehicles for autotow; we operated an autotow only
operation for 10 years from 1970 - 80 just east of Dallas, TX. We used
approximately 6000ft of dirt road on the top of a low ridge (50ft
elevation). We had our best luck with 10 year old Plymouths ('63 -
'66) with the small V8. We got them used for $200 or so and used them
for a year to two. For us it did not make much sense to get anything
new since the rough road and 50mph speeds beat up suspensions in a
year or two, long before the engine was shot. I would be leery of a
pickup due to the low weight over the backend. At the top of a tow, it
was not unheard of to lift the rear end of our tow vehicle enough to
lose traction.

We used about 1600ft of polypropolyene rope and could get about 1400ft
on a CG hook, and about 800ft on a nose hook.

Good luck.

Bob



On 19 Aug 2005 03:57:04 -0700, "Rusty" wrote:

Mike:
We've been doing quite a lot of research on the subject as an
inexpensive alternative to aerotowing. Everything I have read
recommends using a pickup truck like a Ford F-150 or equivilent. One
of the best sites we've found to date is
http://www.danlj.org/~danlj/Soaring/GroundLaunch/ also get the book
"Ground Launches" by Derek Piggott. According to what I've read if all
goes right you can expect 70 to 80% of the tow rope length in altitude.
We will be using a 6000ft grass runway with a 2000ft rope. So we are
hoping to get at least a 1400' launch once we get it worked out. Where
are you located? If you would like to contact me direct I can be
reached at (remove both of the * to email) email
me for my phone number if you wish.

Larry Lively, Del Rio, Texas

Any idea why it isn't done today?

Frank Whiteley

The usual...The land was sold and is now a housing development.

The club in question had to move to a local airport.

Bob

On 19 Aug 2005 22:33:40 -0700, "Frank Whiteley"
wrote:

Any idea why it isn't done today?

Frank Whiteley