We are having discussions about the best flap settings to use when towing with our club's Cessna 182. One camp says 10 degrees, another says 20 degrees. What have other C-182 tow plane operators been doing?

On Saturday, January 14, 2023 at 10:23:48 PM UTC-5, cco...@rtrmag.com wrote:
> We are having discussions about the best flap settings to use when towing with our club's Cessna 182. One camp says 10 degrees, another says 20 degrees. What have other C-182 tow plane operators been doing?

WWII Army and Naval Aviator members of my soaring club decided (in the 80s) to go with notch #2 (1957A model) for takeoff (semi-soft grass) milking to notch 1 after takeoff for the climb before climb power reduction. The Pawnee we had caught fire in flight leaving one Corsair fighter pilot remarking how it reminded him of the Zero he shot down.
Who was I as a young pilot to question the Gods of WWII and would continue that method at a Flight School near Homestead, Fl. and when I got my own tow plane. Never thought about it really.
The descent procedure was a big deal…good luck roping all the ‘cats’ into one camp.
If you’re operating off a hard surface, I would go with 1 notch (10*). Second reason would be minimal risk of damage to the flaps when a tow pilot forgets to retract the flaps while performing the ‘tow release Split-S maneuver’.
R

On Sunday, January 15, 2023 at 7:14:46 AM UTC-5, R wrote:
> On Saturday, January 14, 2023 at 10:23:48 PM UTC-5, cco...@rtrmag.com wrote:
> > We are having discussions about the best flap settings to use when towing with our club's Cessna 182. One camp says 10 degrees, another says 20 degrees. What have other C-182 tow plane operators been doing?

British Columbia Air Cadets operate C-182P's. For their Aircraft Operating instruction, google (or your search engine of choice) A-CR-CCP-402/MB-001 AIR CADET GLIDING PROGRAM CESSNA 182 AIRCRAFT OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS (it is about 5 Mb). It is quite comprehensive. They also have checklists at Cessna C182 Pilot’s Checklist, Emergency Procedures and Operating Data . Looks like flaps 10 for all surface types but I didn't do a detailed read.

Actually flaps 0 will give the best climb. Measured to 3,000 ft it is 30seconds faster.
With a 2-33 flaps 20 is needed because of the slow tow speed. Most use flaps 10 for stall protection and a better over the nose visibility. I have looked at the Canada Air Cadets procedures. They have tricked out 182’s with IO520’s extended wings and tow 2-33’s

Jeff Banks
N9
On Sunday, January 15, 2023 at 12:10:33 PM UTC-5, Dan Daly wrote:
> On Sunday, January 15, 2023 at 7:14:46 AM UTC-5, R wrote:
> > On Saturday, January 14, 2023 at 10:23:48 PM UTC-5, cco...@rtrmag.com wrote:
> > > We are having discussions about the best flap settings to use when towing with our club's Cessna 182. One camp says 10 degrees, another says 20 degrees. What have other C-182 tow plane operators been doing?
> British Columbia Air Cadets operate C-182P's. For their Aircraft Operating instruction, google (or your search engine of choice) A-CR-CCP-402/MB-001 AIR CADET GLIDING PROGRAM CESSNA 182 AIRCRAFT OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS (it is about 5 Mb). It is quite comprehensive. They also have checklists at Cessna C182 Pilot’s Checklist, Emergency Procedures and Operating Data .. Looks like flaps 10 for all surface types but I didn't do a detailed read..