tow hook mod

[Gil Kinzie]

Has anyone got any experience with modifying the ASW 15 tow hook using the "kit " provided by Eastern Sailplanes?  Has anyone got direct experience of the tow charactoristics as they differ from one hook to the other?

[clinton]

I have an ASW15 and I have had the towhook modification done about a year ago.
I find it a much more pleasant and easier to launch, no swing tendancy at all, very docile, also aerotow is very easy.
I would throughly recommend this modification to any 15 owner.
I cant tell you much about the installation as I did not do this myself I got an engineer to do it.
Hope this helps.
Clinton

[Gil Kinzie]

thanks for the infor Clinton, very valuable,  can I ask how much it cost to have it moved?

[clinton]

If I remember rightly the conversion kit from Schliecher was $400 Euros.
And the cost of installation by the engineer about $1500 NZ.
A little costly but well worth it.

[Gil Kinzie]

Thanks for the info Clinton, I am in the process of sanding off all of the origional gel which is badly crazed.  I will be painting it and while doing all of this  I am thinking of doing the hook mod myself.  The kit is 395.00 here  and I have an inspecter that I know and he will sign off my work.

[Gerry Whitson]

Where in the USA can the tow hook kit be purchased?  I've owned my ASW-15 for about 6 months and would like to install the aero tow hook.
Thanks in advance.

[Martin James Attwell]

HI gbwhitson


go to www.easternsailplanes.com

I recentley got a quote for $375, parts only without the tow hook mechanism, as you use your winch hook to the new position.

Regards
Martin
Lima 1

[Gerry Whitson]

My ASW15 is headed to Eastern in February for the tow hook
modification and annual.  I'm going to keep the winch hook
for future use........Thanks for the information.

[clinton]

Hi all, I have had the tow hook modification done, very good idea, she handles beautifully on aerotow now.
I didnt keep the winch hook however, it has been moved to the aerotow position.
The reason I didnt keep the winch hook is because I had heard that having both hooks on the one release, makes it extremely hard to pull the release.
And I was advised against it, if you are going to use both hooks I would be interested to see how you find it.
Cheers Clinton

[Gerry Whitson]

I dropped my ASW-15 off at Eastern Sailplane on Monday.  They are adding the aero-tow hook and doing my annual.  I'll let you know if the release handle pressure increases.   gerry

[Gil Kinzie]

Hi, did John tell you how many hours it takes to install the nose hook?
Thanks
Gil

[Gerry Whitson]

Gil, he (John) has never done the aero-tow modification before.
I'll let you know when I pick it up in mid-February.  gerry