Freedom 170 towing - Hang Gliding Org - Worlds largest Hang Gliding community, discover Hang Gliding

wayne ripley · Posted: Mon May 21, 2012 9:58 am Post subject: Freedom 170 towing

Has anyone had trouble aero towing the freedom. I have about 250 aero tow's in all kinds of gliders yet my new Freedom seems to be a handful, any idea's?

kermit · Posted: Mon May 21, 2012 10:01 am Post subject:

You should buy falcon

dievhart · Posted: Mon May 21, 2012 10:13 am Post subject:

What setup are you using?(2 or 3 point release)
Might try a tail fin....
Can you describe more of what the problem is?
Diev

peanuts · Posted: Mon May 21, 2012 10:15 am Post subject:

what kind of problems are you experiencing.... pitch/yaw/etc.

Jake206 · Joined: 21 May 2012 Posts: 6 Location: Seattle

CHassan · 3 thumbs up Joined: 27 Jul 2006 Posts: 4594 Location: Ohio

My first question would be "How does it fly off of tow (for you)?"
Might be a set up/tuning issue.

lostgriz · Posted: Mon May 21, 2012 11:20 am Post subject:

My Freedom tows beautifully. What type of tow setup are you using? How old is your Freedom? Do you know if it has the new airfoil? If you are using a 3 point tow, where are you towing from on the glider?

Describe your issues when towing.

lostgriz · Posted: Mon May 21, 2012 11:25 am Post subject:

Cav_Man_77 · Posted: Mon May 21, 2012 3:46 pm Post subject:

My Freedom tows beautifully.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8IrbJSr2ALc

AIRTHUG · Posted: Mon May 21, 2012 4:10 pm Post subject: Re: Freedom 170 towing

Bobfly · Posted: Mon May 21, 2012 6:19 pm Post subject:

The Freedom is REALLY sensitive to the location of your keel tow point. Too far back and it becomes squirrelly as hell. A couple of inches makes a big difference. I think I was told to put it 8 inches (at least) in front of the control frame/keel junction but don't take my word on that. Lostgriz, where did you put yours? They towed perfectly for everyone in the SS Shootout (protow).

stephmet · Posted: Mon May 21, 2012 6:44 pm Post subject:

The Freedom is more challenging to tow than a standard single surface glider. I feel it is even more squirrely than my Litesport at times. It is something you have to get used to. If you have not already - try the mid to tight setting on the haul back and if your are using a three point tow, the keel point should be no less than 5 inches from the king post.

lostgriz · Posted: Mon May 21, 2012 7:47 pm Post subject:

I am currently towing 12 1/4" in front of the foremost hole in the keel and hanging from the second hole back. My glider is an early model, so this may be different with newer models. I had a very experienced pilot test it with the first couple settings and I have made slight adjustments from there. My glider ATs sweet and I have ATed in everything from smooth to very turbulent conditions. I also PMed my recommendations.

I found the Freedom to be only slightly more demanding on tow than a Falcon and definitely easier than a slower responding DS glider.

wayne ripley · Posted: Tue May 22, 2012 5:38 am Post subject: towing 170 Freedom

There seems to be a differance of opion as to the pull point. I'm at 8 " so I guess I'll try a little more,say 10". I'm sure it's me and In time I'll get it but those low lockout's [30 feet off the ground] are messing with my head. I did have a tail fin made much like a Sensor so that sound help.

Captian Matt · Posted: Tue May 22, 2012 5:52 am Post subject:

Have you been towing at Rhett's new place?

lostgriz · Posted: Tue May 22, 2012 6:07 am Post subject:

I would definately say that you should move your tow point forward.

If you aren't current with your towing, you should probably get some tows logged with a glider that you are comfortable on before proceeding with the Freedom. I would also recommend getting someone else to tow with your Freedom, just to confirm that all is cool. I have never come close to a lockout, and would hope that you can get this figured out without having another one.

Get someone that is either currently towing a Freedom or is a towing stud to help you through this.

wayne ripley · Posted: Tue May 22, 2012 6:43 am Post subject: towing 170 Freedom

I spent 6 weeks at the Ranch towing the last too weeks I had the Freedom. I had trouble towing it so I asked Eric[Ranch hand] to try it and he said the nose wondered back and forth and was kind of disconserting so we put a fin on it and it towed well for him. I was able to tow it in the morning to 2500 with out much of a problem but midday was a handful[lockout's] I ahve been towing since 1994,everything from a topless Sensor,Exxtacy,Fusion ect so I know how to tow[or so I thought]

lostgriz · Posted: Tue May 22, 2012 6:57 am Post subject: Re: towing 170 Freedom

wayne ripley · Posted: Tue May 22, 2012 8:28 am Post subject: Freedom 170 towing

Thanks, I have the batten pattern so that should be ok. As to how I like the glider I only have two tow's to 2500 and Having come from a Falcon 3 I think it's much better. Very light on pitch and roll, great speed, I was able to get 50mph with little effort and the glide at speed seems a lot better. It stall's at 15mph with my weight[hookin 210] and seems to land well as well. I have been flying for 38 year's so it's a lot closer to the end then the begining so I'm droping back on glider preformance so I can keep going and still have fun. The Freedom seems like the right choice for me. Thanks for all your help.

DocSoc · Posted: Tue May 22, 2012 3:13 pm Post subject:

Enjoy your Freedom, I've had mine since I started hang gliding and I've enjoyed every minute I've used it. Fact is I flew one of the prototypes known as the SSRT, or single surface round tip. I flew it for over 2 hours the first time at Lookout and shortly after I bought one that was too much for a pilot in Florida.

Best wishes for you and the best Single Surface machine I know.

-DocSoc

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