Looks like I skimped on 10 kilos there. I instruct in the Jabiru 170C and had a go in the Jabiru 160. Both are 4 cylinder, 80hp on the paper - not ok for towing; speeds / Vs are a definite issue. We'll get a Jabiru 230 soon. The 230 is already approved for towing. In theory it is very comparable to the 150. I did a few aero-tows behind the 150(2) VH-KML - flying a Standard Libelle and even a Centrair Marianne. I've never launched behind a Jabiru 230. The 150 felt very safe and capable. The lighter Tug variants such as C150, J230, C42 ( http://www.comco-ikarus.de/index_english.html / http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ikarus_C42) and Super Dimona's should be usable to make Triple-C's (Club Class Comps) more affordable. Once water ballast is added - I have my doubts... But there is always the winch possibility. There are a lot of pros and cons: C180's, Maule's, C150's, J230's, C42's are all high wing design. Cool in the Australian sun but uncool for visibility. Motor-glider-tugs like the Dimona's do have very little wake turbulence. Although they are lower in mass than a Pawnee - they do perform well according to the reports. My 'ol club is using a SF-25-C-2000 as tug and for abinitio training. They seem very happy. There is a "left-over" Sinus (Pipistrel) here on the airfield with a 24 on the tail. At that time there was no syllabus in place for gliding under RAA. Yep, and unfortunately to everyone: those early attempts created some Darwin awards, reduced the gene-pool competition and spoiled it for the rest of us. I do hope the GFA will be consulted this time for the glider / soaring entry on the RA License. Towing is already approved under RAA. Smart move there so far: endorsements have to be obtained under GFA and with a PPL - it is more dangerous than flying from airfield to airfield for BBQ's on Sundays... A 150 with a 24 on the tail should make things more sensible for us: As long as the GFA tuggie training prevails I have no doubts about safety. It would just mean that our tuggies don't have to keep their PPL - which is only a $ spinner anyways. I have a PPL - I start tuggie training as soon as the 24 is on a 150 for training / operation. Erich
On Mon, Nov 3, 2008 at 7:01 PM, Al Borowski <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Hi Erich, > > RAA are actually trying for 760kg because that permits quite a few more > 2-seat GA aircraft. > > According to the RAA, there is no reason why you couldn't register > a touring motorglider (ie with a fixed engine) with them. The MTOW of a > super dimona is 770kg - so you'd only lose 10 kilos if you registered it as > an "ultralight". > > The old "stay below 5000 feet unless you are over bad terrain" rule is on > the way out. Their new Ops manual has Glider Towing and Controlled Airspace > endorsements. The only major operational restriction would be you'd have to > keep the engine on in the circuit (this provision is in the new RAA ops > manual due to an earlier tragedy). > > CASA has a discussion paper on their website asking for comments about the > weight increase. If you'd like to comment please see > http://www.casa.gov.au/newrules/ops/dp0802os.htm . > > If this rule goes though, I'd be seriously interested in forming an > RAA motorglider syndicate. > > Best regards, > > Al > > > > > > > > > > > > On 11/3/08, erich wittstock <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > >> hello everyone, >> Glaser Dirks already got it approved: >> Aero-towing of sutainers with motor gliders. >> (I call gliders that can't launch but can get home on their own account a >> sustainer. Jets are already available from the manufacturer (no need to >> re-invent the wheel). Turbo's will be seen in the not so distant future: >> gliders with torbo-prop engines.) >> Aerotowing with a motorglider should open up a few possibilities. Such as: >> towing self launchers or sustainers with a Dimona / Grob 109. Initial >> launch: both engines. Cruise-tow: motorglider power only. Let's get more >> self launchers / sutainers to the morning glory or to that wave camp! Launch >> early in cool calm conditions, cruise on top of thermal activity. >> I do believe that towing with motorgliders / recreatinional aircrafts has >> got it's limitations: it wouldn't be safe to tow in high density altitude or >> thermal intense conditions. (Pawnee's do make sense due to their high >> inertia.) >> >> Next thought: >> Recreational Aviation Australia (RA-Aus) is working very hard on getting >> the max gross weight limit of 650kg raised to 750kg. Proactive bunch they >> are! Maybe it's all falling into place by the end of the year... >> (stop reading at this line and see if you have the same light bulb >> illuminating....) >> >> What this weight increase means to us: we can rub the *VH* off *K*a*M*e*L >> *'s tail and put a 24-XXXX on it. It's factory built - can be used for >> training and is already approved for towing. Airworthy 150's are going from >> 30.000 onwards on Aviation Trader. Maintenance costs should be more >> affordable as well! Anyone for a 150/152 syndicate? >> Erich >> PS: XXXX is in place of a number. RA-Aus 150's should be able to be used >> for aero-towing in all other states as well - not just the sunshine state >> ;-) >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Aus-soaring mailing list >> [email protected] >> To check or change subscription details, visit: >> http://lists.internode.on.net/mailman/listinfo/aus-soaring >> > > > _______________________________________________ > Aus-soaring mailing list > [email protected] > To check or change subscription details, visit: > http://lists.internode.on.net/mailman/listinfo/aus-soaring >
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