TOWING EQUIPMENT

Chris DeLannoy parked his truck long enough to get these shots of his towing rig. Hope they help if you're building your own reel. After Chris' photos are those of this web guy's system along with a suggestion in how to use the Linknife as an emergency release at the truck.

Chris' static towline hookup uses a full-opening Wichard shackle, same as used on many keel-mounted aerotow releases. The towline can be released by the driver from his seat in case of a unique emergency.

His fingers are pushing against an extension lever to allow the pin to lock.

Set up and ready to tow. On 12-7-03 we tested the pull to about 250 pounds and found the bottom half of the shackle had elongated a tiny bit but released with a pull of 24 pounds on the driver's purple line. The deforming was just enough to require the application of tool #1 (a good hammer). A larger shackle is available somewhere (maybe West Marine?).

On the left is the tension gauge with some hand tension applied. Easily seen by the driver, it's magnet mounted on the hood so peripheral seeing takes in the road and surrounding area. On the right, the hydraulic cylinder is highlighted. Note the hose wrapped around the rack to prevent snagging, and the emergency line is routed through hook eyes. The entire cylinder/hose/gauge fits in his tool box and has worked flawlessly since 1997.

Details to note are the reel frame mounts and fork life charging plug.


Button switch to activate the motor for rewinding after a tow.

Idler pulley is spring mounted to keep tension on the drive belt.
Chris' reel and mounting details. Reel design by Rich Sacher.
Photos and retouching by Peter Birren

Thanks to Bill Cummings and David Cameron for urging me to get these pages set up.

12V long shaft starter motor, welded commutators and end-shaft bearings through continuous duty golf cart solenoid. Plugs into car battery using #2 welding cable with fork lift charging plugs to connect/disconnect the reel. Cables stay connected to the battery for the entire flying season but disconnected during the winter as road salt causes heavy corrosion. Spool has aluminum side plates bolted to a 6" PVC spool base with internal bearings on the solid axle - spool could be mounted solidly to the axle if pillow blocks are used on the frame. Bottom bracket is semi-permantently mounted to the truck. Reel is held in place at the top with welded-on bolt heads on the reel which fit into slots on the mounting brackets and, at the bottom, with 2 trailer pins.

Reel design by Rich Sacher. Photo on left (or top) shows belt tension arm which is lowered to take tension off the belt for payout and raised for rewinding. On right (bottom), thumb button with coil cord, the tension cylinder with emergency release and cylinder support line are shown.

Guage shows color areas for ease of use by the driver.  See here for longer page on details of this system.

Linknife as emergency release

Cut 24" of 3mm perlon, place the Linknife on the line and tie a loop on each end of the line. Place one loop on the cylinder then thread the other loop through the towline and on the cylinder. Run a line so the driver can easily reach it. The towline can then be released by the driver from his seat in case of a unique emergency such as if the pilot cannot release. However, if the pilot has a major release problem and is dragging the towline, other problems like snagging the line on some ground obstruction can occur.

DISCLAIMER: As with all aviation endeavors, your choice and use of equipment is totally up to you. It is assumed you are an experienced HG or PG tow pilot who is intimately familiar with the style of towing you will be doing. As such, YOU ASSUME ALL RISK AND LIABILITY in the use of the Linknife, as well as all other parts, functions and personnel involved in the towing and flight operations. If you do not have experience in towing, please contact an instructor for expert training. Trying to learn on your own can, and probably will, result in your injury and even death. Many pilots have paid the ultimate price so we may now tow as safely as never before possible. Please learn from their lessons.