Good deal John,
We'll give it a go when I get back.  I'll give you a call.
Paul

John,

I'm flying an electrified Tower Hobbies 60 trainer with an emergency release servo about 2" back from the CG on the top of the wing (this is the tow point):

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/WTI0001P?I=LXCAS1&P=8

For a test glider, I've got a Bixler powered glider kinda like this:

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__19988__Hobbyking_Bixler_v1_1_EPO_1400mm_KIT_USA_Warehouse_.html

With a tow release on the nose:
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__32011__HobbyKing_Glider_Nose_Tow_Line_Release_11_7x42mm_USA_Warehouse_.html

Both are 2.4GHz Spektrum setups.  Once I get my backup transmitter from Wiley (or Bill) Walters I should be good to go with a complete turn-key system.  I'm looking for a glider pilot with some experience, looks like I have a volunteer.

Got your last post John... I am working and in the time that it took to write this, I'm now going to Tucson for work this weekend and then to Florida and won't be back until the 11th... looks like this is on hold until mid month.  Hate the travel but at least it's good to have a job...

Paul

Finally got a chance to mount the 600KV motor - Turnigy 50-55.  e-calc said that it'd pull 66A with a 6Cell batt and a 13x6 prop - only had a 13x8 and static it pulled about 90A!  Thats 10A over the rating for this motor and 20A over what I'd feel comfortable with a cheap motor.  Yikes!  However with a 100A ESC and good throttle management I should be fine.  Had tons of thrust for a blip of full throttle.  I should be good to go next weekend (not traveling unless the new grandbaby comes early). 

I have some glider release latches coming tomorrow from HK-USA and will fit them into my Bixler.  Any idea how long we should set up the tow line?  I plan on using some 100lb test ultra stranded fishing line that I use for big game fishing, should be plenty.  Hopefully I can have the whole setup done so with the help of another pilot we can try this out - something that I've always wanted to do.  Any takers?

Looking at using this motor:
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__24239__D2826_6_2200kv_Outrunner_Motor_USA_Warehouse_.html
Reading some posts, it should be close to the Greyson motor, but less than 1/2 the price.  Worth trying since I had some other parts to order from HK.  Paul

Hey Tony,
I'll take 2 of them in XL.
Thanks,
Paul Eason

Gave it a try today not a lot of grunt on take-off.  Used a 15x8 prop since the Axi has such a low Kv and had to raise the front gear up enough to clear...  well, not enough since I had a prop strike.  May try a 3 blade or look into using some CF gear that I have and convert to a tail dragger and use a 16x8 prop.  The thing is very heavy at 11lbs.  However, if I could get the motor propped right, the 4130/16 is equivalent to a 90 glow so it should be able to pull hard with the right prop.

I did find a 600Kv motor in the bin, but don't have any 5S batteries - will look at how well a 4S will do.  May try to lighten it up.

Pretty sick with a stupid head cold so I doubt I'll make it out to fly this weekend.  Will pick things up in a week or so.

Paul - Pretty sick with a nasty head cold and don't think I'll make it outside much this weekend, so don't worry about the kit.  I will be at the club meeting (for sure) on the 19th if you wouldn't mind bringing it then, I would appreciate it.

Anybody started building yet?

Thanks PaulE

Hey guys, I've talked to a few of you guys about setting up a glider tug.  I've got a Tower Trainer 60 with an Axi 4130/16 motor on 6S that I'm rebuilding.  Converted it to dual ailerons and finishing up adding a tow hook with a servo release on it.  The plane's large (70" wingspan), has lots of power and should tow just fine.  The 4130/16 is a bit low on KV for 6S, but in the past it had plenty power to yank the 60 around just fine (kind of a what's on the shelf in Paul's shop kind of thing). 

I'll get it set up this weekend and make sure it's airworthy again.  I've got a couple Skysurfer (also known as Bixler) powered gliders that have good glide characteristics that might be good first tow candidates.  Red mentioned that he used a about 1" of Velcro in a lap joint for the glider hook-up.  When you get to altitude, if the glider pulls up as the tug goes down the Velcro will separate.  The servo tow hook (just behind the spar in the center of the plane) would let the tug release the glider if anything goes wrong. 

I'm looking for advice on the setup and would like to know if anybody is interested in giving the tug/glider combo a go.  Any idea on how to test the tow setup in flight?  Maybe drag a banner or streamer and drop it over the runway?  Ideas would be good...  I'm in LA through Wednesday but will post some pictures when I get back.  Paul

I'm positive others will beat me out of the blocks, I'm going to finish the glider tug we talked about and "re-maiden" it this Saturday.  After that, finish the Crack Yak, and the big Sbach is going to be in-bound... lots of fun but I'll get to this before summer flying sets in.

Hey guys, going to be around next weekend, can you bring them to the field?  I'm traveling this week so I'll tag up later in the week.  Thanks, Paul

This is what the sinks look like (kinda sorta).  Heat one up and push it through the foam.

Should be fine, I'm looking forward to starting the build.  Wiley suggested we look carefuly at the cooling issues with the ESC burried in the airframe.  I have an idea on how to solve this.  I've got some pin-fin heatsinks that have super long fins on them.  Given that this bird requires a 30A ESC, these sinks would be fine (replacing the stock flat heatsink on the ESC) and could push through the top of the fuse to allow cooling and still provide a water-tight fuse (once you see them you'll understand what I'm saying).  I'll experiment on a HK 30A ESC that I have and see if it works.  If so, I've got a bunch of them from an old project at work and will hand them out to the builders if you guys want some. 

Paul, do the plans you gave to Red have the updated nacelle as shown in topic 392 on the RC Groups thread?  This would simplify the build.  Wow, 1000+ posts, there's a lot there...  I'm digging through them to see if there are other critical items we should discuss.

Paul, I knew it was your son that thought it was hard.  I'll give him the templates and enough bluecor to make a Twin, he's just got to finish it and fly it this year!  Tell him that's the deal.  Paul