In a previous post I mentioned that the Aeroprakt A 22LS Foxbat demonstrator ZK-LFD was at the AACA/SAANZ 50th Anniversary flyin at Bridge Pa to demonstrate its glider towing capabilities.
On the Sunday morning, as the last flyin aircraft were heading for home, ZK-LFD carried out its first demonstration aerotow, of a PW 5 Smyk glider. ZK-LFD has a factory fitted towhook. I understand that the costs of glider towplanes are becoming a real issue for gliding clubs around the country, and several are trying out Light Sport Aircraft for aerotowing.
Zenith CH 601XL ZK-XLI flew in from Waipukurau, presumably to see the aerotowing demonstration as it headed for the glider parking area at the end of the runway.
The previous day I had seen an amazing glider in the glider club hangar - the ASH 25M motorglider ZK-GRJ that I was told had a wingspan of 26.5 metres. That's nearly the wingspan of a DC 3! When I first saw it from tail on, the wings seemed to go on forever! This was the best photo of it that I could get, but I think it does show off the incredibly long wings.
The gliding club at Whenuapai have been using the B&F Technik Vertri FK 9 Mk IV ZK-RDW/2 as a tug since 2011.
ReplyDeleteThanks for that Flyernzl. I did a post on ZK-RDW glider towing at Whenuapai late last year. The Canterbury Gliding Club is also using Eurofox ZK-TUG
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