I’m now a tow pilot, having completed my endorsement training at the Bathurst Soaring Club under the instruction of Brian Bailey. He’s a good guy who made the experience a pleasant one, and more importantly, taught me a great deal about flying and tugging.
The aircraft was a Piper Pawnee (PA-25 235) with dual controls and side-by-side seating. Most Pawnees are single seat. The aircraft was designed as a crop duster but has proved very useful for glider towing. It’s not the prettiest of planes, but is an honest and forgiving workhorse – a sort of air tractor.
Tailwheel aircraft are notoriously difficult to land, but the Pawnee is a pussycat and settles
down nicely on the ground without too much bouncing about.
Here’s a terrific iPhone panoramic picture taken by one of the guys on the course, Geoff Whitnall. (The wing isn’t really bent up that way of course!)
The biggest challenge was the weather. I had to contend with some strong, gusty crosswinds on takeoff and some bumpy thermals up aloft. Also, this wasn’t ideal weather for the students who were trying for the first time to fly their gliders behind the tow plane – not an easy task even in calmer conditions. Still, all was safe and everyone learned a lot.
They are a lovely bunch of people who made me cups of tea and helped push around the tug plane when needed.
