Tow-planes...again.

The issue of the local club's tow-planes was thrashed about for a while at the pilots meeting.
As is usual we lacked any real information so what we got was alot of personal opinions...however it was illuminating, more for what wasn't said...
It should be noted that about 5 years ago the club formed a sub-committee (the standard kiwi response to a problem...) who were asked to go out and see whats options were available.

This group was asked to consider -
- what performance characteristic's were required of a tow-plane operating on 04/22 towing the current and expected club fleet.
- can we move away from fabric aircraft and more towards modern plastic's/glass??
- we should also move away from air cooled Lycoming engines...for a whole host of reasons
- the availability of AvGas was under question...and I believe it still is...
- the noise footprint is an issue as we tow out over the city, and we couldn't, in all honesty, buy a tow-plane that was louder.
- cost of operation
- cost of purchase
- insurance, safety, compliance issues...eg does a homebuilt (RV's) or micro-lights (various brands) meet these tests? Are you allowed to tow gliders at less than 500ft over a built up area - think Hewletts Road???
- is there any robust data about? It's all very well saying "an RV9 climbs at 2000fpm", but does it with a Duo on the back??? The striking thing about a number of other tow planes we have tested, the performance under tow is quite different than you might have expected...both good and bad.

The short summary was...nothing was available, or was suitable. I don't think much has changed. So discounting suggestions for planes that no longer exist, or personal hopes or biases, I think all we can ask for is a regular review of what could be available...and regular is probably every 5 years.

Pity really...I was looking forward to a plastic/glass built, diesel powered, water cooled, tow-plane that out performed the current fleet...