Insert standard Schweizer tow release safety problems.
I think Tim at Wings and Wheels has Cessna 172 Tost tow hooks, given
that why wold anybody fit a Schweizer hook?
Darryl
Maybe here?
Mmm random hook thingy off ebay that makes me feel much safer. I have
a friend who will happily install that on anybody's C172 for glider
towing. He's doing a show at the moment but as soon as he gets the
grease paint and big red nose off and sobers up he'll get right on it.
And he said there is no need for a yellow tag 'coz he has a big yellow
handkerchief.
Sigh.
You might look up the McFarlane hook on the internet.
I also just noticed that Aircraft Spruce sells a hook, but they ain't
cheap. Also McFarlane sold their hook to an outfit in Olanthe Kansas.
And the Aircraft Spruce tow hook I believe is manufactured by Wings
Unlimited http://www.wingsunlimitedtowhooks.com/products.html
Neither the Wings Unlimtied or McFarlane tow hooks have an STC AFAIK.
So you are in the same situation needing to do a 337/field approval
for any of these as you would for a Tost. So why would somebody pick
one of these over a Tost? (that's a question not a sarcastic comment).
Darryl
Your support for TOST is admirable. How about getting them to develop
an STC the next time you guys have a company meeting.
XF
Ah you lost me there.
Somebody is asking for a particular type of tow hook. I point out they
are dangerous vs. a modern alternative like a Tost. Somebody else
points out other options (lets discount the found objects on ebay). I
provide more details and a link. None of any of the ones we are
talking about have an STC AFAIK. I am sure many people would like a
modern safe tow-hook option with STC'ed for popular tow aircraft. If
the lack of an STC is a problem for you then you can follow up with
the parts manufactures/reps (Tim Mara for Tost). But given the market
size/demand, I suspect it is awfully unlikely any manufacturer is
going to want to STC a tow hook for a Cessna 172. I am pretty sure
people are installing Tost tow hooks with a 337. If you have problems
maybe somebody who has done the paperwork before (with the same or a
different FSDO) can help you. If a FSDO is giving you problems for a
Tost then presumably the FSDO is going to give you a problem for all
the other available options now as well?
The other non-Tost releases mentioned claim to have improved release
under high load angles than the original Schweitzer. I believe the
McFarlane and the Wings Unlimited tow releases are the same item/
design, in which case I understand they were designed with knowledge
of the problems with the Schweitzer releases. But again they are not
STC'ed. I'm not necessarily a fan of the rubber block spring based
design, but maybe that is better in dirty/dusty situations than a
Tost? Is the attraction just they are cheaper than a Tost? Is the
attraction wanting to use the large Schweitzer tow rings at a club/
FBO? Or are people just instinctively asking for a "Schweitzer
release" because that is what they think tow planes have?
Darryl
A Schweizer tow hook and smoke system (I didn't know Schweizer made
smoke systems! :-) ) just showed up on Barnstormers.
Suppose the smoke system is for the glider, or the towplane?
Steve