Normal Procedures And Recommended Speeds; Launch - DG Flugzeugbau DG-1000 Flight Manual

4.5 Normal procedures and recommended speeds

4.5.1

Launch

Due to the towhook position being in the middle of the fuselage and the
excellent effectiveness of the ailerons and rudder, the possibility of wing
dropping or ground loops, even on a slowly accelerating aerotow is reduced.
Take-off with strong crosswind is possible.
4.5.1.1 Aerotow
a) Aerotow is permitted only using the nose tow release. Set trim to neutral for
aerotow.
b) Version with nose wheel: Pull the stick until the nose wheel lifts off from the
ground. Then control the aeroplane so that nose wheel and tail wheel don't
touch the ground.
Version without nose wheel: Keep the elevator in neutral position.
Don't try to lift off before you reach an airspeed of 80 km/h (43 kts.) (without
ballast). On a rough airfield hold the control stick tight. The undercarriage
can be retracted at safety height during the tow.
Normal towing speed is 120-130 km/h (65 - 70 kts.).
For a cross country tow the speed can be as high as 185 km/h (98 kts.).
Warning: Aerotow with high take-off weight requires a powerful tow plane.
Many tow planes are not certified to tow gliders with high take-off weights.
Reduce the take-off weight if necessary!
Note: Aerotowing behind slow tow planes eg. Ultralight planes or touring
motorgliders:
The take-off distance may be remarkably reduced if the DG-1000T is towed
with the engine extended and running at full power.
Recommended towing speed is 100km/h (54 kts.).
Starting the engine on the ground: extend the powerplant via the manual
extension-retraction switch, start the engine in the same manner as described in
section 4.5.4.1.
Warning: When extending the engine via the ignition switch the starter motor
may start cranking the engine in case the starter switch got stuck. Caution at the
propeller.
To ensure good communication with the tow pilot the use of a headset is
recommended at least for the pilot in command.
Warnings:
1. Due to the shorter take-off distance the aerotow with engine extended and
running is safer than with engine retracted. Nevertheless this take-off
procedure is only permitted if the conditions are such that a tow with engine
retracted will also be safe.
2. If the engine of the DG-1000T fails the tow must be terminated by releasing
the towing cable, this procedure is applicable as long as the aircraft are still
on the ground.
Issued: July 2017
Flight manual DG-1000T
TN1000/32 EASA app.
4.12