CAP Talk

Operations => Aviation & Flying Activities => Topic started by: Check Pilot/Tow Pilot on December 28, 2015, 03:35:30 PM

Title: Cessna 182 Towplane mirror
Post by: Check Pilot/Tow Pilot on December 28, 2015, 03:35:30 PM
We have two Cessna 182's towplanes and need a rear looking mirror solution.

Does anyone have any suggestions?
Title: Re: Cessna 182 Towplane mirror
Post by: Al Sayre on December 28, 2015, 05:19:36 PM
http://www.jcwhitney.com/jcwhitney/textsearch_result.jcw?sku=Rear+View+Mirror&shopid=100001 (http://www.jcwhitney.com/jcwhitney/textsearch_result.jcw?sku=Rear+View+Mirror&shopid=100001)
Title: Re: Cessna 182 Towplane mirror
Post by: Live2Learn on December 28, 2015, 06:49:23 PM
Quote from: Al Sayre on December 28, 2015, 05:19:36 PM
http://www.jcwhitney.com/jcwhitney/textsearch_result.jcw?sku=Rear+View+Mirror&shopid=100001 (http://www.jcwhitney.com/jcwhitney/textsearch_result.jcw?sku=Rear+View+Mirror&shopid=100001)

Al Sayre's mirrors look like they're for cars and trucks.  I suppose the universal ball on the back of the mirror might work with this Garmin dash attach mount.  The advantage would be you (the pilot) can adjust the mirror easily in flight.  Else (see below) you'll have to have someone step out on the main gear peg  :)   See:  http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/avpages/aera500dashmount.php?clickkey=211862 (http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/avpages/aera500dashmount.php?clickkey=211862)

However, here's the official CAP suggestion for mirrors:  https://missions.capnhq.gov/ops/dot/Glider/TowPlaneMirror/index.cfm (https://missions.capnhq.gov/ops/dot/Glider/TowPlaneMirror/index.cfm)
Title: Re: Cessna 182 Towplane mirror
Post by: Al Sayre on December 28, 2015, 07:42:24 PM
I was thinking you could attach one of the wide angle ones with a suction cup type mount.
Title: Re: Cessna 182 Towplane mirror
Post by: Check Pilot/Tow Pilot on January 04, 2016, 05:14:03 PM
Quote from: Al Sayre on December 28, 2015, 05:19:36 PM
http://www.jcwhitney.com/jcwhitney/textsearch_result.jcw?sku=Rear+View+Mirror&shopid=100001 (http://www.jcwhitney.com/jcwhitney/textsearch_result.jcw?sku=Rear+View+Mirror&shopid=100001)

Thanks Al, the issue with the cockpit mounted mirror is that you cannot see the glider while taking up slack.  That is why both CAP and the Canadian ACGP uses strut mounts.
Title: Re: Cessna 182 Towplane mirror
Post by: Check Pilot/Tow Pilot on January 04, 2016, 05:14:53 PM
Quote from: Al Sayre on December 28, 2015, 07:42:24 PM
I was thinking you could attach one of the wide angle ones with a suction cup type mount.

Thanks Al, where would you attach it?
Title: Re: Cessna 182 Towplane mirror
Post by: Check Pilot/Tow Pilot on January 04, 2016, 05:17:15 PM
Quote from: Live2Learn on December 28, 2015, 06:49:23 PM
Quote from: Al Sayre on December 28, 2015, 05:19:36 PM
http://www.jcwhitney.com/jcwhitney/textsearch_result.jcw?sku=Rear+View+Mirror&shopid=100001 (http://www.jcwhitney.com/jcwhitney/textsearch_result.jcw?sku=Rear+View+Mirror&shopid=100001)

Al Sayre's mirrors look like they're for cars and trucks.  I suppose the universal ball on the back of the mirror might work with this Garmin dash attach mount.  The advantage would be you (the pilot) can adjust the mirror easily in flight.  Else (see below) you'll have to have someone step out on the main gear peg  :)   See:  http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/avpages/aera500dashmount.php?clickkey=211862 (http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/avpages/aera500dashmount.php?clickkey=211862)

However, here's the official CAP suggestion for mirrors:  https://missions.capnhq.gov/ops/dot/Glider/TowPlaneMirror/index.cfm (https://missions.capnhq.gov/ops/dot/Glider/TowPlaneMirror/index.cfm)

The Garmin dashboard mount is interesting. Velcro attachment I suppose.

I saw the Alaska Wing post, I need to send the PCR glider rep and email.

Thanks,

Noel
Title: Re: Cessna 182 Towplane mirror
Post by: Garibaldi on January 04, 2016, 05:20:20 PM
You know, I was going to suggest a selfie stick as a joke, since there was a meme about a jet pilot sticking one out of the cockpit window during flight, but I found this and a few other pictures:

http://d2rd7etdn93tqb.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/flying-a-plane-selfie-stick.jpg (http://d2rd7etdn93tqb.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/flying-a-plane-selfie-stick.jpg)

http://www.dronestagr.am/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/selfie-stick-2-1024x768.jpg (http://www.dronestagr.am/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/selfie-stick-2-1024x768.jpg)

http://i.imgur.com/rrx2m8V.jpg (http://i.imgur.com/rrx2m8V.jpg)



Title: Re: Cessna 182 Towplane mirror
Post by: Check Pilot/Tow Pilot on January 04, 2016, 05:25:14 PM
Quote from: Garibaldi on January 04, 2016, 05:20:20 PM
You know, I was going to suggest a selfie stick as a joke, since there was a meme about a jet pilot sticking one out of the cockpit window during flight, but I found this and a few other pictures:

http://d2rd7etdn93tqb.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/flying-a-plane-selfie-stick.jpg (http://d2rd7etdn93tqb.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/flying-a-plane-selfie-stick.jpg)

http://www.dronestagr.am/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/selfie-stick-2-1024x768.jpg (http://www.dronestagr.am/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/selfie-stick-2-1024x768.jpg)

http://i.imgur.com/rrx2m8V.jpg (http://i.imgur.com/rrx2m8V.jpg)

I'm not sure that would work very well with one hand on the yoke and one hand on the throttle :)
Title: Re: Cessna 182 Towplane mirror
Post by: Robborsari on January 31, 2016, 12:07:04 AM
I was thinking about something like this:

http://www.walmart.com/ip/35845106?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=0&adid=22222222227025759303&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=54267322991&wl4=&wl5=pla&wl6=89206468151&veh=sem (http://www.walmart.com/ip/35845106?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=0&adid=22222222227025759303&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=54267322991&wl4=&wl5=pla&wl6=89206468151&veh=sem)

Suction cup mount the camera in the back window and velcro the monitor to the dash.  No mods to the plane, nothing outside and it should move between planes easily. 

Anyone try this?
Title: Re: Cessna 182 Towplane mirror
Post by: NIN on January 31, 2016, 06:38:20 PM
That looks pretty cool.  And you're set for night glider ops!

/me ducks
Title: Re: Cessna 182 Towplane mirror
Post by: THRAWN on January 31, 2016, 06:51:47 PM
This is where a tail gunner would come in handy....
Title: Re: Cessna 182 Towplane mirror
Post by: sparks on February 02, 2016, 03:38:35 AM
Our 182 tow plane has a mirror mounted on the left wing strut. It is removable and adjustable since it has a ball mount. The mirror is a common one available at most auto stores. The mount is a clamp type that has an upper and lower half. Avaiation self locking screws and nuts secure it in place. Once towing is done it is easily removed with a crescent wrench. Sorry no pictures.
Title: Re: Cessna 182 Towplane mirror
Post by: Check Pilot/Tow Pilot on February 02, 2016, 05:33:47 AM
Quote from: sparks on February 02, 2016, 03:38:35 AM
Our 182 tow plane has a mirror mounted on the left wing strut. It is removable and adjustable since it has a ball mount. The mirror is a common one available at most auto stores. The mount is a clamp type that has an upper and lower half. Avaiation self locking screws and nuts secure it in place. Once towing is done it is easily removed with a crescent wrench. Sorry no pictures.

Thank you. We are going with the Alaska mirrors. We need the 337 approved first.