Tow Plane Upsets......

On 4/25/2017 5:18 AM, Walt Connelly wrote:

snip
....

AND that the release handle
MUST be immediately available to the tow pilot, not down on the floor or
where one must bend and reach and feel for it and it must provide enough
mechanical advantage to accomplish the job.

/snip

It's been over a year but, IIRC, the release levers on the three tugs at
Sundance Aviation (Moriarty) are hinged at the floor with an
approximately 3-foot lever at about the same height as the throttle.
Easy to grab without looking and LOTS of mechanical advantage. Not
commenting at this time about the relative merits or each type of release.

Originally Posted by Dan Marotta

On 4/25/2017 5:18 AM, Walt Connelly wrote:

snip
....

AND that the release handle
MUST be immediately available to the tow pilot, not down on the floor or
where one must bend and reach and feel for it and it must provide enough
mechanical advantage to accomplish the job.

/snip

It's been over a year but, IIRC, the release levers on the three tugs at
Sundance Aviation (Moriarty) are hinged at the floor with an
approximately 3-foot lever at about the same height as the throttle.
Easy to grab without looking and LOTS of mechanical advantage. Not
commenting at this time about the relative merits or each type of release.

Dan,

Were these 3 foot handles the original design approved by the FAA or were they conversions later? I understand that it is not permissible to simply fabricate a longer handle and have it installed.

Walt

Walt, I can't answer that.

When I started towing at Sundance, both the CallAir and the Pawnee had
long handles. When the Ag Wagon came, it did, too. As I said, it's
been over a year since I looked into any of those cockpits, so I may not
be remembering correctly. I'll try to remember to take a look next time
I go to the airport.

Dan

On 4/27/2017 5:34 AM, Walt Connelly wrote:
Dan Marotta;944164 Wrote:
On 4/25/2017 5:18 AM, Walt Connelly wrote:

snip
....

AND that the release handle
MUST be immediately available to the tow pilot, not down on the floor or
where one must bend and reach and feel for it and it must provide enough
mechanical advantage to accomplish the job.

/snip

It's been over a year but, IIRC, the release levers on the three tugs at

Sundance Aviation (Moriarty) are hinged at the floor with an
approximately 3-foot lever at about the same height as the throttle.
Easy to grab without looking and LOTS of mechanical advantage. Not
commenting at this time about the relative merits or each type of
release.
Dan,

Were these 3 foot handles the original design approved by the FAA or
were they conversions later? I understand that it is not permissible to
simply fabricate a longer handle and have it installed.

Walt





--
Dan, 5J

Dan,

Were these 3 foot handles the original design approved by the FAA or
were they conversions later? I understand that it is not permissible to
simply fabricate a longer handle and have it installed.

Walt

It actually is relatively easy to approve a longer handle Walt. AC 43.13-2B You would need to do 337 and have an IA sign off on it.